Meaning & use

solicit

verb·Academic

To ask for or try to obtain something from someone, often persistently or formally.

See it in a sentence

The charity sent letters to solicit donations from local businesses.

The senator's aide called several donors to solicit support for the campaign.

A note on using this word

Solicit also has a specific legal sense referring to offering sexual services in public, distinct from its general use for requesting help or business.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To offer sexual services in exchange for money, especially in a public place, typically as a criminal offense.

He was arrested for attempting to solicit near the train station.

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