solicit
verb
so·lic·it
| \ sə-ˈli-sət
\
\
solicited;
soliciting;
solicits
Definition of solicit
1a
: to make petition to : entreat
b
: to approach with a request or plea
solicited Congress for funding
2
: to urge (something, such as one's cause) strongly
3a
: to entice or lure especially into evil
b
: to proposition (someone) especially as or in the character of a prostitute
4
: to try to obtain by usually urgent requests or pleas
solicited donations
1
: to make solicitation : importune
2
of a prostitute
: to offer to have sexual relations with someone for money
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Synonyms for solicit
Synonyms
canvass (also canvas), interview, poll, survey
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Examples of solicit in a Sentence
The center is soliciting donations to help victims of the earthquake.
The company is soliciting bids from various firms.
The organization is soliciting new memberships.
The newspaper's editors want to solicit opinions from readers.
The organization is soliciting for donations.
Special interest groups are soliciting Congress for funds.
The prostitutes were arrested for soliciting customers.
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Recent Examples on the Web
This year, Jurvetson also donated money to the Democratic National Committee on Warren’s behalf, as first reported by BuzzFeed, to help her campaign purchase information about voters (she was not solicited directly by Warren). — BostonGlobe.com, "Warren set up her primary campaign with big money, then swore it off - The Boston Globe," 10 Sep. 2019 An internal email circulates noting that Gates is making this gift at the recommendation of a friend of his who wishes to remain anonymous and adds that it was not solicited by the media lab. — Kristina Sgueglia, CNN, "Top MIT official resigns in wake of explosive report on donations facilitated by Jeffrey Epstein," 8 Sep. 2019 But the Falcons never recorded consecutive winning seasons, and the team’s lone Super Bowl appearance was marred by the arrest of safety Eugene Robinson for soliciting a prostitute the night before the game. — SI.com, "A History of Football in 100 Objects," 28 Aug. 2019 The foundation, which does not solicit money from donors, reported handing out over $149 million in gifts and grants in 2017. — Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, "Southeast Michigan nonprofit CEO pay has jumped. Here's why," 23 Aug. 2019 The decision has prompted an outcry from supporters of the artworks who say public comment was not solicited. — Jen Thomas, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: Jurors replaced in Ghost Ship trial," 20 Aug. 2019 Larry Summers, who had recently stepped down as the director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama, solicited M.M.T. literature. — Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, "The Economist Who Believes the Government Should Just Print More Money," 20 Aug. 2019 With another hit on its hands, Universal Pictures began development on a third film by soliciting ideas from prospective writers. — Derek Lawrence, EW.com, "From stolen DVD players to Black Superman, Fast & Furious writer shares secrets of the franchise," 1 Aug. 2019 Under the once-secret deal — overseen by Alexander Acosta, who was the U.S. attorney in Miami at the time and is now Trump’s labor secretary — Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting and procuring a person under 18 for prostitution. — Jim Mustian, Twin Cities, "Wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein charged with molesting dozens of girls," 8 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solicit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for solicit
solicit
verb
English Language Learners Definition of solicit
formal
: to ask for (something, such as money or help) from people, companies, etc.
: to ask (a person or group) for money, help, etc.
: to offer to have sex with (someone) in return for money
See the full definition for solicit in the English Language Learners Dictionary
solicit
verb
so·lic·it
| \ sə-ˈli-sət
\
\
solicited;
soliciting
Kids Definition of solicit
1
: to come to with a request or plea
We solicited local businesses for donations.
2
: to try to get by asking or pleading
They solicited the help of their neighbors.
solicit
transitive verb
so·lic·it
| \ sə-ˈli-sət
\
\