evocative

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈvä-kə-tiv How to pronounce evocative (audio)
Synonyms of evocativenext
: 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

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
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You’ll be served your second drink (of four in total) in an evocative atmosphere filled with colonial-style architecture, actors dressed as 19th-century factory workers, and a mariachi band. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026 This film mostly consists of Nilsen telling his story in his own words on audio tape combined with evocative visuals. Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026 The photograph feels funereal but rich, somehow—evocative of the days when Edith Wharton’s troubled characters tried to hide from others’ eyes, while the carriage horses clopped along, each step as heavy as destiny. Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026 These plinking, whimsical ditties—each song lasts but a minute or two at most— are evocative in their simplicity, but deceptively rich in texture. Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evocative

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of evocative was in 1657

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Cite this Entry

“Evocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evocative. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

evocative

adjective
evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈväk-ət-iv How to pronounce evocative (audio)
: having the power to evoke an especially emotional response
an evocative photograph

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