Synonym Chooser

How does the verb evoke contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evoke are educe, elicit, extort, and extract. While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

In what contexts can educe take the place of evoke?

The synonyms educe and evoke are sometimes interchangeable, but educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

When would elicit be a good substitute for evoke?

The words elicit and evoke are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

When can extort be used instead of evoke?

The words extort and evoke can be used in similar contexts, but extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

When is it sensible to use extract instead of evoke?

While in some cases nearly identical to evoke, extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of evoke For contemporary audiences, the description can also evoke the death marches of Jewish prisoners during the Shoah, the Hebrew term for the Holocaust. Agnes Mueller, The Conversation, 18 June 2025 Mamdani appeared for an interview with The Bulwark, released on Tuesday, in which host Tim Miller asked him for his thoughts on the phrase, which has evoked strong emotions on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 June 2025 The scene evoked New York in the 1980s or ’90s, when the city was home to a thriving DIY zine culture built on late nights at Kinko’s. C. Brandon Ogbunu, Wired News, 16 June 2025 Political Shifts And Policies: A Source Of Hope And Anxiety Simultaneously, new political policies, whether aimed at addressing climate change, social inequality or global conflicts, often evoke mixed emotions. Novena Riojas, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for evoke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evoke
Verb
  • Cheating on an assignment could elicit a level one or level two response, according to the CMS Code of Conduct.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
  • The news that a veteran artist is about to play their entire new album would typically elicit silent groans throughout a classic rock audience, or at least a stampede to the bathrooms or bar, but Seven Psalms is a remarkable achievement, and fans have had two years to process it.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Palm Tree Crew, which was valued in 2024 at $150 million, activates each of its partner brands into the fabric of its experiences, which cofounders Kygo and Myles Shear, inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville empire, started about five years ago.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The end is a three-and-a-half-minute outro inspired by The King and I… the music had this waltzing, temptress thing.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Evoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evoke. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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