invoke

verb in·voke \ in-ˈvōk \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: invoke in a Sentence

Editor's Note: evoke or invoke?

Definition of invoke

invoked; invoking

transitive verb

1 a : to petition for help or support

b : to appeal to or cite as authority

2 : to call forth by incantation : conjure

3 : to make an earnest request for : solicit

4 : to put into effect or operation : implement

5 : bring about, cause

—

invoker

noun

See invoke defined for English-language learners

See invoke defined for kids

Examples of invoke in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of invoke from the Web

No, this is also a new record in the Senate, even as Democrats are invoking a cloture vote, or long debate periods on every nominee.

— Fox News, "Preparations for a Trump-Kim summit getting back on track," 3 June 2018
That looks a distant prospect today, after the U.S. invoked national-security rules to put tariffs on steel and aluminum from the European Union, Canada and Mexico.

— robert hutton, Bloomberg.com, "Brexit Bulletin: A Bad Trade-Off?," 1 June 2018
Some legal experts questioned whether the Energy Department could invoke the Federal Power Act, saying the law traditionally has been used to respond to hurricanes, blackouts and other disasters.

— james rainey /, NBC News, "Trump energy plan would prop up failing coal and nuclear plants," 1 June 2018
The bar association’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel disagreed and recommended the hearing, while invoking the prospect of possible license suspension.

— sean robinson, The Seattle Times, "Disciplinary hearing set for Pierce County Prosecutor Lindquist – for after the election," 28 May 2018
Greitens’ team had filed a motion last week to call Gardner as a witness after Tisaby invoked his Fifth Amendment rights.

— bryan lowry, kansascity, "St. Louis police will investigate ex-FBI agent involved in Greitens case | The Kansas City Star," 15 May 2018
The issue was said to have occurred five times in the past, invoking the same reaction from the man.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Man asks for marijuana back after being cited for possession: Mayfield Heights Police Blotter," 9 May 2018
And then these women all got defined in terms of each other, Susan Sontag greeted as the next Mary McCarthy, Dorothy Parker getting invoked all over the place.

— roxane gay, The Cut, "‘Argument Can Actually Be Joyful’: Women, Critics, and What It Means to Be Sharp," 20 Apr. 2018
Glover, clearly invoking Billy Dee Williams’ take on the character, has offered his final thoughts on the matter.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Solo: A Star Wars Story reminds us that no one knows how to say Han’s name," 18 Apr. 2018

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.

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 invoke

Middle English envoken, from Middle French invoquer, from Latin invocare, from in- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

invoke Synonyms

Phrases

bring forth, give rise to;

INVOKE Defined for English Language Learners

invoke

verb

Definition of invoke for English Language Learners

: to mention (someone or something) in an attempt to make people feel a certain way or have a certain idea in their mind
: to refer to (something) in support of your ideas
: to make use of (a law, a right, etc.)

INVOKE Defined for Kids

invoke

verb in·voke \ in-ˈvōk \

Definition of invoke for Students

invoked; invoking

1 : to ask for aid or protection (as in prayer)

2 : to call forth by magic

invoke spirits

3 : to appeal to as an authority or for support

She invoked the Sunday rule as soon as he returned from the skateboard park and a family outing was launched.
—Carl Hiaasen, Hoot

Word Root of invoke

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.