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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Elicit and Illicit?

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The words "elicit" and "illicit" may sound and look similar, but they have different meanings:

  • Elicit is a verb meaning "to bring forth a reaction or response" or "to get something to come out". It is derived from the Latin word "lacere," which means "to allure". Synonyms for elicit include induce, trigger, extract, prompt, and evoke.
  • Illicit is an adjective describing something that is illegal or not permitted. It is related to the Latin word "licēre," which means "to be permitted". Illicit can also be described as something prohibited or forbidden according to law or custom. Synonyms for illicit include adulterous, bootleg, contraband, illegal, illegitimate, immoral, improper, unlawful, and prohibited.

Remember that elicit is a verb and illicit is an adjective to help you differentiate between the two words.

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  • What is the Difference Between Elicit and Illicit?
  • Comparative Table: Elicit vs Illicit

    • Comparative Table: Elicit vs Illicit

    Here is a table comparing the differences between "elicit" and "illicit":

    Term Part of Speech Meaning Synonyms Examples
    Elicit Verb To bring forth a reaction or response, often information or a reaction To obtain, evoke, extract, derive, etc. Barry wanted to elicit empathy, so he told everyone the story of his fight with cancer.
    Illicit Adjective Describes something that is illegal or not permitted Unlawful, adulterous, bootleg, contraband, etc. The school fair was a success. It managed to elicit donations from many small businesses.

    Remember that "elicit" is a verb and "illicit" is an adjective. This distinction will help you use these words correctly in your writing and speech.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.