SOLICIT Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

solicit

verb

sə-ˈli-sət

Definition of solicit

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

report

as in to seek

to make a request for always ready to solicit donations for a charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to ask

to make a request of solicited him to join the team

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to beg

to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner solicit the President for relief funds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Freedom 250 also solicited donations from private corporations, including Exxon Mobil, Mastercard, Deloitte, and Palantir. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 July 2026 From 2019 to 2026, Cloth solicited big-money investments from clients looking to finance films and other entertainment projects with Creative Wealth, according to the indictment. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026 In 2008, Epstein avoided federal charges by pleading guilty to state charges of procuring a minor for prostitution and soliciting prostitution. — Abby Ellin, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026 The Society solicited donations of money and stone from around the world and started work. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for solicit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicit

Verb

When Litera surveyed firms on what would set them apart once every competitor has the same AI models, the answers had nothing to do with technology.

— Avaneesh Marwaha, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
In about 10% of companies surveyed, the positions are fully merged.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of survey

Verb

Like that of his predecessors, João Havelange and Sepp Blatter, Infantino is seeking to rally his core supporters in his traditional power base of Africa.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Over the years, India’s blockbusters have sought to outdo each other in budget, especially those in Bollywood and the Telugu film industry.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of seek

Verb

Many in leadership positions have been allowed to work from home, people interviewed for this story said, but lower-level staff have been ordered to return to buildings that still bear the scars of the shooting.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Unlike the Tribune, none of the outlets Welch spoke with had interviewed the harassment victims, leaving Welch to present a largely one-sided account.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of interview

Verb

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act means the court cannot order Meta to request children to submit personal data or be passively tracked online, even for age verification purposes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Neither Wells’ official state autopsy nor the autopsy requested by his family has provided clear answers about the teen’s death.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

At the upcoming 64th edition, the festival will launch the new NYFF Encounters initiative, which invites a director with a film in the lineup to shoot a new short film at the festival; each will premiere at the following edition.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026
She was invited to be a godparent alongside James Meade, a close lifelong friend of William, Kate’s cousin Adam Middleton, and Thomas van Straubenzee, another longtime friend of William’s who spoke at their 2011 wedding.

— Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of invite

Browse Nearby Words

soles

solicit

solicitation

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Style

“Solicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicit. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of solicit

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