evocative

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈvä-kə-tiv 

: evoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response

… settings … so evocative that they bring tears to the eyes …

—Eric Malpass

evocatively adverb

evocativeness noun

Synonyms of evocative

• reminiscent

Examples of evocative in a Sentence

He wrote a powerful and evocative biography.

the Italian-American restaurant is decorated in a manner evocative of the charming outdoor cafés in Italy

Recent Examples on the Web

For this project, the British artist and stage designer has conceived a journey across 15 immersive installations, each titled with an evocative name and spotlighting the work of 500 artisans by framing their work with light, a primordial force that is at the heart of her artistic practice. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

In the show’s opening number, the entertainer changed into a pink corset with fishnets and tall black boots—the costume evocative of her stage name. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 8 June 2026

Schaller pointed to a placard that volunteers had hung beneath the coffee station, which showed cartoon yellow cranes—evocative of a construction boom—suspended over a church steeple and a splash of Kelly green. —Jessi Jezewska Stevens, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Mothers not only seek expert opinion on parenting but tune into emotionally evocative stories about motherhood that make feelings a source of moral authority. —Nina Bandelj, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for evocative

• provocative
• talkative
• vocative

Kids Definition

evocative

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈväk-ət-iv 

: having the power to evoke an especially emotional response

an evocative photograph