invocations

noun

plural of invocation
as in spells
a spoken word or set of words believed to have magic power a Siberian shaman muttering mysterious invocations to ward off evil

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 invocations Their selective invocations of Washington may have obscured his complicity, but some abolitionists truly believed doing so would help bring the horror of American slavery to an end. — John Garrison Marks, The Atlantic, 25 July 2026 Why the invocations of Tubman, the readings of Du Bois, the visits from Hamer? — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 After a while, though, all the professions of sincerity and thanks, the constant invocations of the one true POTUS, and the worshipful exhibits upstairs give the whole place a cultish, nostalgic gleam. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026 Yet office work expanded, as recent invocations of the Jevons paradox rightly note. — Christopher Marquis, Time, 30 May 2026 Such rhetoric echoes in official statements as well — in prayers for destruction, in invocations of divine sanction for war and in casual references to catastrophic violence. — Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 Some of these invocations align with Hegseth’s recurring references to the Crusades in the Middle Ages – a centuries-long holy war between Christians and Muslims. — Samuel Perry, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026 As his invocations crescendoed, so did the music behind him and the Legacy Mass Choir broke into a rousing gospel performance to start the homegoing services. — CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026 Full prompt traces, model outputs, tool invocations, permission scopes and alerts for unusual patterns are essential. — Nirmal Jingar, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invocations
  1. spells
  2. incantations
  3. curses
Noun
  • After spells with six other clubs, he was poised to sign for Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham in the summer of 2025.
    — Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Here is Part One of my interview with Diamanda, who grew up in San Diego, was a long time resident of New York City, has cast spells all over the world, and now again lives in San Diego.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of spells
Noun
  • The Hoodoo tradition presumes a belief in a supernatural or spirit world that can be called upon for assistance, often through charms and incantations.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Halloween Horror Nights fans will encounter demonic forces when Book of the Dead incantations are read aloud inside the newest Evil Dead haunted house coming to Universal Studios Hollywood.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 July 2026
Definition of incantations
Noun
  • In other cases Hoodoo was used to counter the threat of curses, as in the practice of suspending bottles from a tree to trap any malevolent spirits or witches traveling in spirit form.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The cumulative impression of Alice that the book leaves is of someone moving serenely through life, meeting fond blessings and awful curses both with the same calm equanimity.
    — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of curses

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invocation
invocations
invoice
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Cite this Entry

“Invocations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invocations. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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