Definition of invoke
invoked
;invoking
transitive verb
1a : to petition for help or supportb : 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
nounExplore M-W
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
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But it has been invoked by presidents since George Washington to withhold private White House deliberations and records from Congress.
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The Trump administration can invoke the accord’s formal withdrawal mechanism, which takes four years — though American officials could stop participating in any future climate talks immediately.
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During the course of the interview, Loyd invoked the phrase no one wants to hear about his or her favorite college football program.
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Flynn had previously invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in declining an earlier request from the committee.
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Trump skipped the bits about common values with our NATO allies, or gratitude for their invoking the mutual-defense provisions of the North Atlantic Treaty on our behalf in the wake of 9/11.
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Trump made those remarks in front of a memorial to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, when for the only time in history NATO invoked Article 5 to help defend Trump's hometown.
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There was a Jackass-like TV show in the U.K. that invoked the name in its title, called Dirty Sanchez, that ran from 2003 to 2008.
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.
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
INVOKE Defined for English Language Learners
invoke
playDefinition of invoke for English Language Learners
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: to mention (someone or something) in an attempt to make people feel a certain way or have a certain idea in their mind
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: to refer to (something) in support of your ideas
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: to make use of (a law, a right, etc.)
INVOKE Defined for Kids
invoke
playDefinition 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.
Law Dictionary
invoke
playLegal Definition of invoke
invoked
invoking
1 : to appeal to as furnishing authority or motive
2 : to put into legal effect or call for the observance of : enforce invoking his Fifth Amendment privilege
3 : to introduce or put into operation invoking economic sanctions
4 : to be the cause of regulations that invoke problems in enforcement
Learn More about invoke
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See words that rhyme with invoke Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for invoke Spanish Central: Translation of invoke Nglish: Translation of invoke for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of invoke for Arabic speakers
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