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
Schlather’s approach is the opposite of the genteel Spoleto staging, which invoked the opulent sets and costumes of the Met’s designer, Cecil Beaton, on a smaller stage.
—
Russell Platt, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
That same day, the CDC invoked Title 42 – a public health law that restricts entry into the US during outbreaks of communicable diseases – for at least 30 days starting Monday.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
The county’s child death protocol has been invoked, a process that brings police, prosecutors and child welfare officials together to review the circumstances of a child’s death.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
In the show, the hands-off rule is invoked, but not by Garrett.
—Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 17 May 2026
For year, tech companies have invoked the First Amendment and other laws to shield themselves from legal accountability.
—Olivier Sylvain, Fortune, 16 May 2026
In the aftermath of Tuesday’s loss, Quenneville has invoked the memory of the 2015 Western Conference final, when his Chicago Blackhawks lost a Game 5 in Anaheim early in overtime and were facing elimination.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The war game scenario — with the Swedish island of Gotland in theory facing power outages and food shortages because of sabotage — tested what NATO members might do before NATO’s collective defense clause, Article 5, has been invoked.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
As authorized by the House settlement, the Nebraska players invoked their right to challenge the CSC’s rejection in arbitration.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Russell Platt, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
That same day, the CDC invoked Title 42 – a public health law that restricts entry into the US during outbreaks of communicable diseases – for at least 30 days starting Monday.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
The county’s child death protocol has been invoked, a process that brings police, prosecutors and child welfare officials together to review the circumstances of a child’s death.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
In the show, the hands-off rule is invoked, but not by Garrett.
—Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 17 May 2026
For year, tech companies have invoked the First Amendment and other laws to shield themselves from legal accountability.
—Olivier Sylvain, Fortune, 16 May 2026
In the aftermath of Tuesday’s loss, Quenneville has invoked the memory of the 2015 Western Conference final, when his Chicago Blackhawks lost a Game 5 in Anaheim early in overtime and were facing elimination.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The war game scenario — with the Swedish island of Gotland in theory facing power outages and food shortages because of sabotage — tested what NATO members might do before NATO’s collective defense clause, Article 5, has been invoked.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
As authorized by the House settlement, the Nebraska players invoked their right to challenge the CSC’s rejection in arbitration.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoked
Verb
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Benson created scoring chances throughout the game and finished with a goal and an assist.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Friday night’s fans may have inadvertently created a new tradition.—
Warren Mayes,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Lei Ying Lee, Xia Brookside rivalry heats up Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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During my lifetime there have been 55 years in which my country has engaged in prolonged and endless conflicts or wars, few of which have brought a decisive victory.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Frieden said that, by the time health workers detected this latest outbreak, cases have outnumbered those reported at the start of the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which caused over 28,000 cases and 11,325 deaths over two years.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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What was remarkable about Newcastle was how one tug on the thread caused Nuno’s players to unravel.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Twenty international features alone generated a record AUD1 billion ($715 million) in local expenditure in 2024-25, while international TV and VOD titles contributed a further AUD458 million ($327 million).—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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Common causes of high humidity in a house include leaks, high outdoor humidity affecting the inside, insufficient ventilation, and moisture generated from cooking, washing clothes, and showering.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
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But the freaks among us may, if prompted to choose one or the other, share our preference for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman as the defining soap satire of the 1970s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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The previous gray and achromatic hue created the illusion of greater depth and prompted more profound contemplation, the group said.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Verb
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In the decades since, theorizing of the relationship between natural and artificial literature spawned a whole new academic field, generally within English departments.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Violent storms spawned destructive tornadoes over the weekend, leveling homes and sending trees and power lines flying through the air.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The game has already produced seven winners in 2026, including a rapid stretch in late April and early May when four jackpots were claimed in just four days, underscoring how quickly fortunes have turned this year.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
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And while this year ultimately produced notable wins for healthcare policy, business organizations were also frustrated by legislators on that front as well, pointing to a bill that would have allowed for association health plans that died in the Appropriations Committee.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did HUD officials.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
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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 21 May. 2026.
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