invoke

verb

in·voke in-ˈvōk

invoked; invoking

Synonyms of invoke next

transitive verb

: to petition for help or support

: to appeal to or cite as authority

: to call forth by incantation : conjure

: to make an earnest request for : solicit

: to put into effect or operation : implement

: bring about, cause

invoker noun

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.

Example Sentences

Nietzsche is so complex that he can be invoked in support of many outlooks, some of them brutal or nihilistic. —

Thomas Nagel, New Republic, 14 Jan. 2002

There are some people who commit murder as a way of invoking the death penalty. Capital punishment can sometimes, then, be equivalent to suicide. —

George Freeman Solomon, People, 17 Jan. 1977

We began poring over the typewritten recipes at the dining room table, where I foolishly invoked the name of Julia Child … —

Gael Greene, New York, 13 Sept. 1971

He invoked the memory of his predecessor. She invoked history to prove her point. He invoked his Fifth Amendment privileges. The suspect invoked his right to an attorney. invoke the authority of the court See More

Recent Examples on the Web Federal prosecutors accused the men of being traitors who launched into an attack after Trump did not invoke the Insurrection Act on Jan. 6. —

Catherine Garcia, The Week, 24 Jan. 2023 Prosecutors allege that the Oath Keepers were hoping that the former president would invoke the Insurrection Act, a centuries-old statute that calls upon citizens to stand up as members of an armed militia and fight. —

Robert Legare, CBS News, 4 Oct. 2022 Many legal experts doubt a former president can invoke the privilege against the wishes of the current president, preventing the Justice Department from reviewing executive branch materials in a criminal investigation. —

Charlie Savage, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2022 Rhodes' attorneys have suggested that his defense will focus on Rhodes' belief that Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act and call up a militia to support his bid to stay in power. —

Michael Kunzelman, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Sep. 2022 Bragg has said his investigation is continuing, which means that Trump could invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to answer questions from James' investigators. —

Dallas News, 10 Aug. 2022 Bragg has said his investigation is continuing, which means that Trump could invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to answer questions from James’ investigators. —

Michael Balsamo, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2022 Bragg has said his investigation is continuing, which means that Trump could invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to answer questions from James’ investigators. —

Michael Balsamo And Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2022 The fact that McCarthy is now expected to call plays and invoke more principles of the West Coast offense means Dak’s passes are likely to get even shorter. —

Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas News, 4 Feb. 2023 See More

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