1
as in to survey
to go around and approach (people) with a request for opinions or information solicited several opinions about which job he should accept

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to tempt
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage how many men have been solicited into purchasing bogus aids for "male enhancement" by shameless appeals to their vanity?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word solicit distinct from other similar verbs?

The words ask and request are common synonyms of solicit. While all three words mean "to seek to obtain by making one's wants known," solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement.

a letter soliciting information

When is ask a more appropriate choice than solicit?

The words ask and solicit can be used in similar contexts, but ask implies no more than the statement of the desire.

ask a favor of a friend

Where would request be a reasonable alternative to solicit?

The words request and solicit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, request implies greater formality and courtesy.

requests the pleasure of your company

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of solicit Performance measures for this provision include soliciting continual feedback on the value of chamber programs through an annual survey of chamber members, with the results provided to all chamber stakeholders and city officials. Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025 Canales called a play that solicited an empty backfield. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025 Morrissey shut down an email to solicit offers for his rights to the Smiths’ music and other connected intellectual property, according to a post on his official website. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025 Politifact noted that no charges have been filed on that claim that Abrego Garcia solicited nude photos from minors, while his attorneys has said that the allegations are hearsay. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for solicit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicit
Verb
  • New residential property prices fell year-on-year during August in 65 out of 70 cities surveyed by the NBS, data also showed.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Simon-Kucher also has a new holiday shopping report, which surveyed consumers in July, and is forecasting Gen Z shoppers to reduce their holiday shopping budget by only 1%, from $814 to $805, while Millennials will be spending 14% more year over year.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Proton is commonly used by people seeking highly secure communications and has been blocked in countries with strict internet censorship, like Russia and Turkey.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2025
  • California officials are trying to kill the fossil fuel industry in the state while simultaneously seeking a buyer for Valero Energy’s Benicia refinery near San Francisco, which is scheduled to close in April because the company no longer wants to deal with the abuse from Sacramento.
    Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a video taken by a security camera at his mother's driveway, obtained by ABC News, a federal agent can be heard asking Gamez Lira to turn off the engine and to not resist.
    Armando Garcia, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Mary Bobenmoyer, owner and general manager of Our Town Coffee & Treats, didn’t know until a reporter asked her about it in late August.
    Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The second quarter earnings news that comparable store sales were growing for the first time in years was the catalyst that begged a second look and juiced the stock price.
    Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Brown’s mother, Michelle Dewitt, told the Observer her family begged for help in the years leading up to the attack.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Alan is a married man tempted by things that could be, but his friendship with Roger grounds the story in a rare portrayal of Black male vulnerability.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Still, Beamer grew up in Blacksburg and might be tempted to rebuild his dad’s old program.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Here's the latest about the Arizona location Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Hosts Zuri Hall and Heather McMahan will interview stars on the red carpet.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During the grand jury investigation of the county’s jail deaths, Flores alleges in her lawsuit, jurors requested to speak with her.
    Christopher Damien, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Several outside medical groups in attendance requested that the voting topics be shared to have transparency.
    Will Stone, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For example, inviting someone to volunteer at a food bank for migrant families or go to an LGBTQ+ venue.
    Sarah Stein Lubrano, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Earlier last month, at Le Bon Marché in Paris, Marimekko opened a pop-up where Gohar and Marimekko created a giant bed inviting visitors to lounge.
    Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicit. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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