as in creates
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 invokes
The final movement starts off with a timpani riff, which triggers a cocky dance that invokes Peterson’s high-speed fingers, shooting off at Road Runner pace.
—
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
On her new single—a piano ballad of dubious sincerity—Canadian DJ and songwriter Brat Star invokes Paltrow’s greatest role as one-third of a holy trinity of disaffection.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
Despite being governed by clerics since 1979, Iran frequently deploys nationalistic symbols and invokes its pre-Islamic past alongside its revolutionary identity.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
The new tariff order invokes Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Over the past century, the Hockaday School has made a name for itself — the kind of reputation that invokes recognition, esteem and awe.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Presented as a doctrine of national renewal, the strategy invokes the language of strength, sovereignty, and restoration.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Shankman invokes Julie Hagerty's performance in the 1980 comedy Airplane!
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Ready invokes our name as a warning.
—John Acunto, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
On her new single—a piano ballad of dubious sincerity—Canadian DJ and songwriter Brat Star invokes Paltrow’s greatest role as one-third of a holy trinity of disaffection.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
Despite being governed by clerics since 1979, Iran frequently deploys nationalistic symbols and invokes its pre-Islamic past alongside its revolutionary identity.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
The new tariff order invokes Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Over the past century, the Hockaday School has made a name for itself — the kind of reputation that invokes recognition, esteem and awe.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Presented as a doctrine of national renewal, the strategy invokes the language of strength, sovereignty, and restoration.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Shankman invokes Julie Hagerty's performance in the 1980 comedy Airplane!
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Ready invokes our name as a warning.
—John Acunto, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invokes
Verb
-
Regulating heat in these systems creates the right conditions for peak efficiency and performance, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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The contrast between the volume of the trench coat and the clean lines of straight-leg jeans creates an interesting and very trendy silhouette.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ground-penetrating radar can detect nonmetallic objects but performs poorly in wet or uneven terrain, or ground covered by vegetation, and often generates high false-alarm rates.—
Sagar Lekhak,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
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Thanks to Mary Shelley’s telekinetic puppeteering of Ida/Penelope, the feminist rage that sets the story in motion generates exciting and spectacular events.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the letter is yet another representation of the growing consensus on the left against consolidation that brings major news organizations under one roof, particularly when that house is owned by Ellison.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Naomi Fry says that this iteration brings with it a fresh sense of authenticity and vulnerability.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
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There isn't any research showing that drinking caffeine right after waking up causes an afternoon crash, nor is there evidence that delaying caffeine can prevent it.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Silence creates space, and often prompts the other person to keep talking.—
Kathy and Ross Petrass,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
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If there is a bus or train that is coming close to the location that someone is requesting a microtransit ride, the algorithm prompts them to use public transport instead, Tillunger said.—
Sara Bedigian,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And a cougar attacks in a very different way than a bear does.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Of course, gold mining stocks also carry risks that physical gold does not, including operational costs, management decisions and broader stock market volatility.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to Air Force data, the missile produces about 203,158 pounds of thrust in the first stage, 60,793 pounds in the second, and 35,086 pounds in the third stage.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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The production and stage will be three times the size of the comedians’ normal stages and will be managed by the same team that produces stadium shows for acts like Los Bukis and Bad Bunny.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invokes. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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