as in created
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 invoked
Warner has invoked Madison's health issues several times throughout the years during congressional debates over health care.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
The contradiction becomes especially stark in the way veterans are invoked in the psychedelic conversation.
—Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
This past week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said he's frustrated by journalists scrutinizing America's Middle East war and invoked scripture, comparing journalists to the ancient Jewish scholars who opposed Jesus.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
America’s $39 trillion national debt has become a familiar political football—batted around in budget negotiations, invoked at congressional hearings, and largely ignored between elections.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, during his remarks at press conference Thursday morning, Hegseth again invoked the Bible — and compared journalists to the Pharisees, the figures in the New Testament who opposed Jesus, per Mediate.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, another reporter revisited the question, and Brown invoked Kenneth Chenault, the third-ever Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company as American Express CEO from 2001 to 2018.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Police stopped the interrogation after Cody’s mother arrived and invoked his right to an attorney, the affidavit said.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
In his first attempt to impose global tariffs, the president last year invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), using the law to declare America’s longstanding trade deficit a national emergency and to impose double-digit worldwide taxes on imports to combat it.
—Mae Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
The contradiction becomes especially stark in the way veterans are invoked in the psychedelic conversation.
—Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
This past week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said he's frustrated by journalists scrutinizing America's Middle East war and invoked scripture, comparing journalists to the ancient Jewish scholars who opposed Jesus.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
America’s $39 trillion national debt has become a familiar political football—batted around in budget negotiations, invoked at congressional hearings, and largely ignored between elections.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, during his remarks at press conference Thursday morning, Hegseth again invoked the Bible — and compared journalists to the Pharisees, the figures in the New Testament who opposed Jesus, per Mediate.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, another reporter revisited the question, and Brown invoked Kenneth Chenault, the third-ever Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company as American Express CEO from 2001 to 2018.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Police stopped the interrogation after Cody’s mother arrived and invoked his right to an attorney, the affidavit said.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
In his first attempt to impose global tariffs, the president last year invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), using the law to declare America’s longstanding trade deficit a national emergency and to impose double-digit worldwide taxes on imports to combat it.
—Mae Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoked
Verb
-
In past years, that has created openings for disruptions in the lobby and other public spaces, including protests in which security moved to remove guests who unfurled banners or staged demonstrations.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
-
That event, along with the Grand Mosque seizure in 1979, created a backlash against Western thought, Western ideology.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But that night the Red Sox bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and Thursday brought a sense of deja vu.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Down 20, Murray brought the ball over halfcourt, looking for space.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The book raised issues about conservation and the environmental problems caused by synthetic pesticides.—
Makenna Morrison Gary,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 2025 festival drew more than 11,400 attendees and generated significant global media reach.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Bowser said the operation generated significant profits, with at least 20 vehicles tied directly to the indictment and potentially more than 100 thefts linked to the broader network.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Among the victims were two boys, ages 12 and 14, whose deaths have rattled their community in Northeast Washington and prompted broader fears about an uptick in gun violence that typically unfolds in warmer weather.—
Marissa J. Lang,
Washington Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The visit was prompted by information from a family member of the person who lived in the home.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Summer-like temperatures will give way to chilly weather across the Northeast beginning on Monday as residents in the Midwest and Plains clean up after a spell of severe weather that spawned multiple tornadoes.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In their second year, an H100 spawned $36,000 in annual profit for a 137% return on investment.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Incumbent Mayor John McCann, a Republican, is the lone member of his party on a council otherwise composed of Democrats — a dynamic that has produced notable splits on several high-profile issues.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Washington, a big, fast, physical back who has produced in the SEC, is near the top of the list.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did HUD officials.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The two men then said Smollett paid them to stage the attack, and Smollett was charged with filing a false police report; the charges were later dropped after Smollett paid a fine and did community service.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Invoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invoked. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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