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 sense 2a
evoke evil spirits
2
: to re-create imaginatively

Did you know?

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.

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

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
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.
Designed to evoke the charm of a refined café in Paris, the evening will showcase an exclusive cocktail menu crafted with French ingredients and expert precision in Bar Crenn’s intimate setting. Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 In their speeches Saturday, some of the rally speakers evoked the theme, which was also used to fuel Serbian nationalism in the 1990s that later led to the incitement of ethnic wars after the breakup of Yugoslavia. Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 Affectionately, the 35-year-old pop star is not known for setting or chasing trends, instead using fashion to tease new musical eras or evoke a sense of girl-next-door relatability. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 29 June 2025 Priced at $12,500, the successor to the 2024 commemorative edition features a new honeycomb-like dial designed to evoke the green signal light of a train. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for evoke

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evoke was circa 1622

Cite this Entry

“Evoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evoke. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

evoke

verb
evoked; evoking
: to call forth or up : summon
the song evoked memories of summer

More from Merriam-Webster on evoke

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