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

The ornate recipes favored by some of Sadboy’s artisan competitors are scrapped in favor of blends that are succinct and evocative. —Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026

The building, designed by Herbert Newman to be evocative of the oil storage tanks nearby and close to the harbor, was innovative when it was built. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026

The evocative song was written by Sombr, who teased it last weekend at Coachella. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026

Experience evocative films that bring urgent and deeply personal stories from around the region. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 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