solicitation

noun

so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

plural solicitations

1

formal : the practice or act or an instance of soliciting

email/telephone solicitations

Unauthorized solicitation is prohibited.

sometimes : an urgent or persistent request : entreaty, importunity

I laid the matter before him, but he was disinclined to attempt the unfamiliar task. The editors, however, renewed their solicitations.

—Adam Badeau †1895

2

formal : a quality or force that moves or draws : incitement, allurement

… a vigilance against the solicitations of dejection and despair.

—newyorker.com

Synonyms

• adjuration
• appeal
• conjuration
• cry
• desire
• entreaty
• petition
• plea
• pleading
• prayer
• suit
• suppliance
• supplication

Examples of solicitation in a Sentence

the mail is always full of solicitations from worthy causes

Recent Examples on the Web

During a preliminary court hearing Friday in Centennial, prosecutors said James Craig is facing additional new felony charges related to plotting the killing of four people: solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury. —Andi Babineau and Ray Sanchez, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025

At the time, Yates was on parole for carjacking, solicitation to commit murder and possessing a loaded firearm. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

The solicitation for feedback on the questions below will be open for 60 days. —Jon McGowan, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

What to Know Holloway was arrested and charged with solicitation of capital murder. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

solicitation

noun

so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

: an act or practice or an instance of soliciting

solicitation of a proxy for a shareholder vote

specifically : the crime of soliciting someone to commit a crime (as murder)