evoke

verb

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\ i-ˈvōk

evoked; evoking

Definition of evoke

transitive verb

1 : to call forth or up: such as

a : to bring to mind or recollection this place evokes memories

b : to cite especially with approval or for support : invoke

c : conjure sense 2a evoke evil spirits

2 : to re-create imaginatively

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym evoke or invoke? Example Sentences Learn More about evoke

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Synonyms for evoke

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for evoke

educe, evoke, elicit, extract, extort mean to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved. educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent. educed order out of chaos evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory. a song that evokes warm memories elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response. careful questioning elicited the truth extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information. extracted a confession from him extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly. extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

evoke or invoke?

Don’t feel bad if you have difficulty remembering the difference between evoke and invoke, as the words are quite similar in many ways and have considerable overlap in meaning. However, the words do differ, and you would not want to substitute one for the other. Invoke is used of putting into effect or calling upon such things as laws, authority, or privilege (“the principal invoked a rule forbidding students from asking questions”). Evoke is primarily used in the sense “to call forth or up” and is often found in connection with such things as memories, emotions, or sympathy.

Examples of evoke in a Sentence

The old house evoked memories of his childhood. His photographs evoke the isolation and solitude of the desert.

Recent Examples on the Web These are iconic vehicles that evoke a sense of history and for many the engines inside them are a big part of that – the exotic V8 in the Ferrari and the huge V8 in the Rolls. — James Morris, Forbes, "Don’t Hate Electric Classic Car Conversions," 8 May 2021 Few patterns instantly evoke summer like thick, vibrant stripes. — New York Times, "The T List: Five Things We Recommend This Week," 6 May 2021 His work, including murals throughout San Diego, evoke strong emotions that become a lasting call to action against injustice. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Someone San Diego Should Know: Mario Chacon," 6 May 2021 Thoughts of Orlando, Florida, probably evoke images of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and the whole gang at Walt Disney World. — Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, "You Could Win a Flight to Orlando When You Vote for Frontier Airlines’ New Aircraft Design," 5 May 2021 The references to the Trump administration are a little obscure here, but both singers evoke an unsettling hunger for justice or vengeance or, as may be the case, eradication. — Jon Freeman, Rolling Stone, "Song You Need to Know: Lawrence Rothman Featuring Son Little, ‘Sunny Place for Shady People’," 4 May 2021 The resulting amorphous and crusty surfaces evoke the subtle transformations of creation. — Matthew Bourbon, Dallas News, "Joshua Hagler’s exuberantly sullen paintings at Cris Worley Fine Arts speak to creation, death," 28 Apr. 2021 But the Song Girls are meant to evoke a more nostalgic ethos in their trademark white sweaters, one that calls back to a bygone era of wholesome school spirit. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, "Who are the Song Girls? A primer on the iconic USC dance squad," 27 Apr. 2021 The new Marz location is called the Life on Marz Community Club, a pastiche of eye-popping colors and textures with a retro bent meant to evoke neighborhood social clubs of years past — while also looking forward. — Josh Noel, chicagotribune.com, "Veteran breweries Marz and Solemn Oath opening Logan Square taprooms less than 1 mile and a few weeks apart," 23 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evoke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.