as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
we should be prepared for the possibility that any solution may invoke another set of problems
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Recent Examples of invoking
The price surge also has had political ramifications for oil production in California, with Trump invoking a Cold War-era law to force the controversial resumption of offshore drilling in the Golden State, citing the need to bolster domestic oil production for national security purposes.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Even invoking Article 5 requires agreement among the allies.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
While Robinson's defense is seeking to put off his preliminary hearing for another six months, Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, has filed a notice with the court invoking her right to seek a speedy trial as a victim under Utah law.
—Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Republicans said after a private lunch meeting that there were other options than invoking the national emergency.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026
Still, this undoubtedly remains his show, with leaders and participants alike repeatedly invoking his name and presidency.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Republicans said after a private lunch meeting that there were other options than invoking the national emergency.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Blazy came to them with the idea of invoking the real-life boyfriend of Coco Chanel, Boy Capel, who was a real-life client of Charvet.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
The BlueRibbon Coalition is undeterred, deliberately invoking the massive federal efforts that built the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams and filled Lake Powell and Lake Mead with Colorado River water.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Even invoking Article 5 requires agreement among the allies.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
While Robinson's defense is seeking to put off his preliminary hearing for another six months, Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, has filed a notice with the court invoking her right to seek a speedy trial as a victim under Utah law.
—Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Republicans said after a private lunch meeting that there were other options than invoking the national emergency.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026
Still, this undoubtedly remains his show, with leaders and participants alike repeatedly invoking his name and presidency.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Republicans said after a private lunch meeting that there were other options than invoking the national emergency.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Blazy came to them with the idea of invoking the real-life boyfriend of Coco Chanel, Boy Capel, who was a real-life client of Charvet.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
The BlueRibbon Coalition is undeterred, deliberately invoking the massive federal efforts that built the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams and filled Lake Powell and Lake Mead with Colorado River water.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoking
Verb
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Folk music à la Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen plays on repeat, creating a chill vibe for a crowd of regulars (many of who come twice a day).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The space was designed by her and her mother, Sabeen Khaliq, with the goal of creating tranquility.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease causing fever, respiratory symptoms and a characteristic rash and can sometimes have severe or fatal complications, especially in young children, according to WHO.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Within minutes, a dark brew of sewage, industrial waste, and stormwater was rising through basements and businesses, hospitals and the central rail station, knocking out power and causing a billion dollars in damage.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another cold front will push through the area on Easter Sunday, bringing rain and much cooler temperatures than Saturday.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Cleaver, for his part, has also been hailed for bringing money back to Kansas City.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Below is a recap of the C-suite developments at America’s highest-revenue-generating companies announced between March 28–April 3, 2026, organized by sector.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Because developers are generating exponentially more tokens to drive performance and agentic behavior.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
KitKat is asking for the public's help after thieves made off with 12 tons of the company's chocolate — prompting the launch of a new tracking tool to help locate the missing shipment.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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And despite promises that more files were going to become public, the Justice Department in July said no more would be released, prompting Congress to pass a bill to force the agency to do so.—
Michelle L. Price,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pretty soon people realized that some women had actually always been out there doing things.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Add into the mix consistent hand-washing, doing the dishes with harsh soaps, and something as mundane as getting gel nail polish cured with a UV light?—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By the early summer, most of the bass have finished spawning in the shallows and have now pushed back to deeper water to find their summer haunts.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Iconic Design The Panthella, by Scandinavian lighting brand Louis Poulsen, is a design that’s been celebrated since its launch in the ’70s, spawning many more mushroom lamps in the decades since.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The conflict involving oil-producing Gulf states, and the effective closure of a critical oil and gas shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices surging globally over the past month.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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This hybridization resulted in Bradford producing fertile fruit through cross-pollination from other cultivars.—
Campbell Vaughn,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invoking. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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