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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An evocative, haunting tale of generational trauma for those who made it through the coldest winter on record in Leningrad, where temperatures dropped to 40 below. The Know, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026 Extending beyond that sphere, there’s multifaceted alt-rock (Hayley Williams, Hammerstein Ballroom; April 9-12), evocative drone metal (Sunn O))), Town Hall; April 12), and wry post-punk (Dry Cleaning, Brooklyn Steel; May 7), for those seeking something more propulsive. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026 Some gravitate towards glossy fashion retrospectives; others prefer weighty interior design tomes or evocative travel volumes that capture a specific moment in time–the Italian coastline at the height of summer, for example. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026 Crafted in a shiny fabric, the dress incorporated muted tones of pink, green and silver, evocative of the pastel color palette often associated with the Netflix series. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evocative. Accessed 14 Mar. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on evocative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster