elicit
verb
elic·it i-ˈli-sət 
elicited; eliciting; elicits
transitive verb
1
: to call forth or draw out (something, such as information or a response)
her remarks elicited cheers
2
: to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential)
hypnotism elicited his hidden fears
elicitation
i-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən
noun ˌē-
elicitor
i-ˈli-sə-tər
noun 
Did you know?
The Latin Roots of Elicit
Elicit comes from the Latin verb elicere, from the prefix e-, meaning "away," and lacere, "to entice by charm or attraction."
Synonyms
- educe
- evoke
- inspire
- raise
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
If ever there was a two-way pleasure street, it's the delight a baby takes in being tickled and the joy the parent experiences in the tumble of laughter it elicits. 
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 17 Jan. 2005 Gingrich elicits perhaps the greatest sympathy when he talks about the challenge of graduating from a rabble-rousing backbencher in the House minority to presiding over (and trying to control) the first Republican majority in 40 years. Richard L. Berke, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1998 In a wild, captive wolf that is not socialized to man, approach will elicit flight and, if the wolf is cornered, a defensive reaction may be triggered, which is termed the critical-distance reaction. Michael W. Fox, The Soul of the Wolf, 1980 She's been trying to elicit the support of other committee members. My question elicited no response. She's been unable to elicit much sympathy from the public. See More
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 17 Jan. 2005 Gingrich elicits perhaps the greatest sympathy when he talks about the challenge of graduating from a rabble-rousing backbencher in the House minority to presiding over (and trying to control) the first Republican majority in 40 years. Richard L. Berke, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1998 In a wild, captive wolf that is not socialized to man, approach will elicit flight and, if the wolf is cornered, a defensive reaction may be triggered, which is termed the critical-distance reaction. Michael W. Fox, The Soul of the Wolf, 1980 She's been trying to elicit the support of other committee members. My question elicited no response. She's been unable to elicit much sympathy from the public. See More Recent Examples on the Web Joyce’s lively, gossipy diary extracts elicit more smiles. Malcolm Forbes, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Jocelyn Charnas, who sees couples in Manhattan and specializes in premarital therapy, was not surprised that simply changing positions could elicit such dramatic results. WIRED, 5 Sep. 2022 So a latticework steel tower or a sleek monopole mast with an array of rectangular antenna panels clustered at its top can elicit powerful responses. Steven Jones, The Conversation, 22 Aug. 2022 Why are we drawn to such uncategorizable sounds, the noises that deliver limited-to-no-information yet elicit our adoration? New York Times, 17 Aug. 2022 Dumbbell Floor Press Instead of a bench press with a barbell, which can elicit some discomfort in your shoulder, Chan suggests limiting your range of motion and moving down to the floor. Perri O. Blumberg, Men's Health, 29 July 2022 This being Hermès, a horse takes center stage in the scene, ridden by a princess taking a selfie using a selfie stick…something that may one day look archaic, but will surely still elicit interest in the navel-gazing era. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 26 July 2022 After all, if previous omicron infection may elicit effective antibody against the newest variants, so too might a vaccine that induces similar antibodies to this ever-shifting variant. Kent Sepkowitz, CNN, 20 July 2022 Since substances like pollutants and metabolites often elicit changes in gene expression, the bacterium’s DNA receipt book can be used to identify which molecules are present and when. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 See More
Malcolm Forbes, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Jocelyn Charnas, who sees couples in Manhattan and specializes in premarital therapy, was not surprised that simply changing positions could elicit such dramatic results. WIRED, 5 Sep. 2022 So a latticework steel tower or a sleek monopole mast with an array of rectangular antenna panels clustered at its top can elicit powerful responses. Steven Jones, The Conversation, 22 Aug. 2022 Why are we drawn to such uncategorizable sounds, the noises that deliver limited-to-no-information yet elicit our adoration? New York Times, 17 Aug. 2022 Dumbbell Floor Press Instead of a bench press with a barbell, which can elicit some discomfort in your shoulder, Chan suggests limiting your range of motion and moving down to the floor. Perri O. Blumberg, Men's Health, 29 July 2022 This being Hermès, a horse takes center stage in the scene, ridden by a princess taking a selfie using a selfie stick…something that may one day look archaic, but will surely still elicit interest in the navel-gazing era. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 26 July 2022 After all, if previous omicron infection may elicit effective antibody against the newest variants, so too might a vaccine that induces similar antibodies to this ever-shifting variant. Kent Sepkowitz, CNN, 20 July 2022 Since substances like pollutants and metabolites often elicit changes in gene expression, the bacterium’s DNA receipt book can be used to identify which molecules are present and when. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin elicitus, past participle of elicere, from e- + lacere to allure
First Known Use
1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2
elicits
verb
as in evokes
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) the role elicited the actress's flair for comedy that previous directors had overlooked Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- evokes
- inspires
- raises
- reveals
- educes
- pulls
- gets
- obtains
- extracts
- calls forth
- extorts
- procures
- wrings
- drags
- gains
- exposes
- evinces
- secures
- uncovers
- discloses
- wrests
- discovers
- unmasks
- divulges
- bares
- wangles
- unveils
- dredges (up)
- uncloaks
- coaxes (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignores
- neglects
- misses
- disregards
- forgets
- overlooks
- passes over
- overpasses