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 The Daily News reported the soliciting prostitution charge was dropped, and the indecent exposure charge was reduced to public lewdness. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 For that reason, the alderman is reminding seniors to never open their door for anyone soliciting. — Jermont Terry, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Steven Sherrill, a 24-year veteran at the county fire department, was charged with soliciting prostitution, a first-degree misdemeanor. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Jarrett Peavler of Perryville, Kentucky, said his wife, a third grade teacher, had to solicit donations online to stock her classroom with supplies. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solicit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicit

Verb

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission surveyed eight businesses that had advertised their use of AI and real-time data to determine prices, including Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase and retail pricing software companies.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Roman is also designed to survey the universe a thousand times faster than Hubble, according to NASA.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of survey

Verb

Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority CEO Doug Kreulen said Parton’s life exemplified the values the airport seeks to nurture.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
Twenty-five years on and seeking revenge, Robbie infiltrates his gang from the bottom up in order to kill the man responsible, only to discover that the British underboss is grooming him to settle a debt no one was ever meant to survive.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of seek

Verb

Gianni Infantino went from immovable king of football to touring the world, begging people for support.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
But this begs the parallel question of what the current museum architecture arises from and reflects, and why the oceanic and the oligarchic logics of the museum’s reformation now travel together here.

— George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of beg

Verb

The people featured in the 11th annual installment of this uplifting exercise help the less fortunate, tend to the environment, tempt our taste buds, help budding entrepreneurs thrive, minister to the downtrodden and more.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
He may be tempted to give the same players another run this weekend.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of tempt

Verb

Though historically rare, murder or homicide charges in high-speed crashes that don’t involve drugs or alcohol are becoming increasingly common, according to experts interviewed by USA TODAY.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
The online creator, who began the series as a column at the age of 17 and has since interviewed talent such as Billie Eilish, Andrew Garfield and Paul McCartney, made the announcement on Thursday on her Instagram account.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of interview

Verb

Sustained gunfire began past midnight at the premises of the Diori Hamani International Airport, which hosts a major military base, according to an AP witness who requested anonymity for safety reasons.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
The group requested agreements among MPEA, arena operator Oak View Group, the Chicago Sky and the WNBA.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

This luxe accent chair invites fall into your home with its rich velvet upholstery and warm cinnamon shade.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
The people attending the official screenings are invited to vote, and the film receiving the highest average score receives the Armani Beauty Audience Award.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of solicit

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