solicit
7 synonyms for solicit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use solicit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
solicit donations
solicit feedback
solicit business
The sexual sense is common in legal and news contexts (e.g. "arrested for soliciting"); the general "ask for" sense is used in business and everyday writing.
Etymology
From Old French soliciter, from Latin sollicitāre ("to stir up, disturb, urge"), from sollicitus ("agitated, anxious").
Full origin of solicit →Frequently asked questions
What does “solicit” mean?
The word “solicit” means to ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally. In plain terms, to formally or persistently ask for something (like money, opinions, or business), or, in a specific legal sense, to offer paid sex in public.
How do you pronounce “solicit”?
“Solicit” is pronounced suh-LIH-siht (/səˈlɪsɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “solicit” in a sentence?
Here is “solicit” used in a sentence: “The charity solicited donations from local businesses.”
What part of speech is “solicit”?
“Solicit” is a verb.
Where does the word “solicit” come from?
The word “solicit” comes from Latin. From Old French soliciter, from Latin sollicitāre ("to stir up, disturb, urge"), from sollicitus ("agitated, anxious").
How many meanings does “solicit” have?
“Solicit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally.
