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to elicit

to elicit

40 5.3
To get an answer or other reaction from someone by asking
  • verb
  • /ɪˈlɪsɪt/
  • Formal
translation icon : provocar
  • The fundraiser aimed to elicit donations from the community to support local charities.
  • elicit responses
  • elicit information
  • elicit questions

But what you actually want to try and elicit is that stress.

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Examples

  • Some days the only thing you elicit is sympathy, pity.

  • The boy found... he had quite a talent for eliciting these feelings in others.

  • So you try to elicit something where there is some trust.

  • You will elicit facts from the witness.

  • And we believe a personal plea, from you to your father, might elicit a response.

  • It appears you are seeking to elicit from this witness an opinion which she is not entitled to give.

  • How could she phrase her questions to elicit the information and yet remain reasonably tactful?

    Fiction book (1993)
  • In the present study, wordless picture books were used to elicit stories from cognitively healthy adults.

    Academic text (2011)
  • That synchrony elicits joy in human beings.

  • The teacher used questions to elicit thoughtful answers from her students.

Synonyms

to get
vsto elicit
1.8

To cause someone to do something, often by persuading them

aims specifically to obtain responses, answers, or information rather than induce action
to raise
vsto elicit
3.2

To bring up a subject or cause people to notice it

targets getting a response or information rather than simply raising a topic
to extract
vsto elicit
166 3.9

To remove something from somewhere, often by effort, or to get information

uses asking or reasoning to cause people to give answers
to provoke
vsto elicit
115 3.7

Cause a reaction or feeling

is gentler and aimed at getting answers rather than provoking
to evoke
vsto elicit
71 4.8

To bring a memory, image, or feeling to mind

more about prompting explicit answers or factual responses
to fire
vsto elicit
62 4.8

To cause strong feeling or excitement in someone

seeks neutral answers or information rather than strong emotional reactions
to arouse
vsto elicit
57 4.1

Cause a feeling or strong reaction in people

is more neutral, aiming to obtain information or answers
to induce
vsto elicit
51 4.9

Persuade someone to do something

is about drawing out information or reactions rather than causing action
to draw out
vsto elicit
18 3.8

Remove something from where it is, for example a nail or a secret

relies more on questioning or reasoning to prompt responses
to kindle
vsto elicit
5 6.5

To cause a strong feeling or interest to begin

focuses on eliciting concrete answers or factual reactions instead of inspiration
to sound out
vsto elicit
2 4.4

Try to find out what someone thinks by asking indirect questions

uses direct asking or reasoning to produce clear answers
to enkindle
vsto elicit
  • Archaic
1 9.2

To make someone feel a strong emotion

is generally more about obtaining responses or information than inspiration
to educe
vsto elicit
  • Formal
9.6

To bring out something hidden or not clear

focuses on getting explicit answers or reactions rather than development
to arouse interest
vsto elicit
3.8

To make someone feel curious about something and want to know more

seeks actual answers or reactions rather than only sparking curiosity
to arouse curiosity
vsto elicit
3.4

To make someone want to know more

aims to get responses or information rather than only interest

Antonyms

88 5.8

To hold back feelings or reactions

How Strong

to trigger
422 4.2
to provoke
144 3.6
to elicit
  • Formal
40 5.3
to prompt
217 3.6
to evoke
71 4.8

Surface Forms

elicit infinitive
elicited past
elicited past participle
eliciting present participle
elicits third person singular

Etymology

Elicit comes from Latin parts: e- meaning 'out' and a part meaning 'to draw', so it originally meant 'draw out', like when you extract an answer from someone. That's why to elicit is to bring out or get a reaction, answer, or feeling from someone.