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

That can mean desperate solicitations to alumni and marketing efforts that might not previously have been considered appropriate. —Bruce Schoenfeld, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025

This material should not be construed as a recommendation, or advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any investment. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025

As wildfires continue to burn across Los Angeles counties, a solicitation on social media for firefighters ignited fury. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2025

The United States alleged that Dell also submitted its own direct bids to the Army on the same solicitations, knowing that its prices would be higher than Iron Bow’s, thereby creating a false appearance of competition. —Steel Rose, Cpa, Forbes, 3 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)