evoke

verb \ i-ˈvōk \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: evoke in a Sentence

Editor's Note: evoke or invoke?

Definition of evoke

evoked; evoking

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 2a

evoke evil spirits

2 : to re-create imaginatively

See evoke defined for English-language learners

See evoke defined for kids

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 of evoke from the Web

In his work, Mack creates intricate compositions that echo aspects of movement and the urban grid, while Hudson’s works evoke the topographic — mapping devastation and rejuvenation.

— carolina a. miranda, latimes.com, "Datebook: Shots of old Route 66, dreamlike paintings and garments fashioned from paper," 12 July 2018
Designer Simon Porte Jacquemus and his La Bomba spring 2018 collection is partly responsible, with its gigantic shoulder-grazing headgear that defied gravity (and practicality) and evoked the luxurious feel of a beachside vacation.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "How a Larger-Than-Life Sunhat Became Summer's Must-Have Accessory," 11 July 2018
And, the officials argue, associations with Russia will evoke not politics but romance, classical music and ballet.

— andrew e. kramer, New York Times, "A Diamond Giant Plays Up Its Russian Ties to Appeal to Americans," 11 July 2018
The one-lane, 112-year-old bridge has long served as both a literal entrance to the village and a symbolic bridge to the earlier time that the community evokes with its throwback shops and old-timey feel.

— robert mccoppin, chicagotribune.com, "Village seeks to save 112-year-old bridge after truck severely damaged structure: 'This is the face of Long Grove'," 29 June 2018
That’s made the whole controversy feel a lot more dangerous, evoking an incident where a gunman invaded Pizzagate target restaurant Comet Ping Pong.

— adi robertson, The Verge, "Red Hen restaurants around the world are getting blamed for kicking out Sarah Sanders," 26 June 2018
By definition the absolutism of utopia—a society in which everything is absolutely right— evokes the same absolutism with which a totalitarian society replaces any semblance of a moral compass.

— steve erickson, Los Angeles Magazine, "HBO’s Fahrenheit 451 Reveals a Blurred Line Between Utopia and Hell," 16 May 2018
Taking heavy inspiration from the kit Kevin Keegan's Toon Army donned in the 1995/96 season, Newcastle's new shirt evokes memories of that classic season when the likes of Peter Beardsley, Les Ferdinand and David Ginola all featured for the Magpies.

— SI.com, "Newcastle United Reveal New 2018/19 Away Kit Taking Inspiration From Classic Shirt," 9 July 2018
The packaging certainly evokes summer, with a bold pink-and-yellow motif (including a whimsical banana print) that calls to mind strawberry-banana smoothies on the beach.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Reveals Kylie Cosmetics “Summer” Collection," 9 July 2018

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of evoke

French évoquer, from Latin evocare, from e- + vocare to call — more at vocation

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1622

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

evoke Synonyms

Synonyms

educe, elicit, inspire, raise;

Near Antonyms

disregard, forget, ignore, miss, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over;

coax (out), gain, get, obtain, procure, secure;

bare, disclose, discover, divulge, evince, expose, reveal, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil;

Phrases

call forth;

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

EVOKE Defined for English Language Learners

evoke

verb

Definition of evoke for English Language Learners

: to bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind
: to cause (a particular reaction or response) to happen

EVOKE Defined for Kids

evoke

verb \ i-ˈvōk \

Definition of evoke for Students

evoked; evoking

: to bring to mind The photos evoked memories of our trip.

Word Root of evoke

The Latin word vox, meaning “voice,” and the related word vocāre, meaning “to call”, give us the root voc or vok. Words from the Latin vox or vocāre have something to do with the voice or with calling. Anything vocal is produced by the voice. A vocation is the work that someone is called to do as a job. To evoke is to call forth. To invoke is to call on for aid or protection. To provoke is to call forth another's anger. The word voice also has vox as its root.