as in creating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 invoking
However, some police agencies began invoking Marsy’s Law for officers who used lethal force in the field, under the idea that the officers were victims as well.
—
Gabriel Velasquez Neira, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Officials are also considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic adhere to the military's requests, sources told CBS News.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The kudocast veteran discusses producing a live event for Netflix without strict time limit considerations, showcasing host Kristen Bell, paying tribute to Harrison Ford’s long career and invoking vintage Hollywood glamour.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Third, the decision will deter future presidents from invoking IEEPA as a pretext for sweeping economic measures without genuine emergency justification.
—Mohammad N. Elahee, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
Ajax, in Amsterdam, has acquired a similar reputation, prompting rival fans to chant the most offensive antisemitic slurs imaginable, often invoking gas.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Unlike in criminal proceedings, attorneys are allowed to argue in a civil case that a defendant invoking the Fifth Amendment is doing so to shield himself from potential criminal liability.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
However, when public commentary shifts from expressing personal convictions to invoking conspiracy theories or singling out one religious community in dangerous ways that echo historical prejudice, the line has been crossed.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
Trump has singled out Moore for criticism, blaming him for a Potomac sewage spill, assailing his handing of Baltimore's bridge collapse and invoking a controversy over his military record.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Gabriel Velasquez Neira, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Officials are also considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic adhere to the military's requests, sources told CBS News.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The kudocast veteran discusses producing a live event for Netflix without strict time limit considerations, showcasing host Kristen Bell, paying tribute to Harrison Ford’s long career and invoking vintage Hollywood glamour.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Third, the decision will deter future presidents from invoking IEEPA as a pretext for sweeping economic measures without genuine emergency justification.
—Mohammad N. Elahee, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
Ajax, in Amsterdam, has acquired a similar reputation, prompting rival fans to chant the most offensive antisemitic slurs imaginable, often invoking gas.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Unlike in criminal proceedings, attorneys are allowed to argue in a civil case that a defendant invoking the Fifth Amendment is doing so to shield himself from potential criminal liability.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
However, when public commentary shifts from expressing personal convictions to invoking conspiracy theories or singling out one religious community in dangerous ways that echo historical prejudice, the line has been crossed.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
Trump has singled out Moore for criticism, blaming him for a Potomac sewage spill, assailing his handing of Baltimore's bridge collapse and invoking a controversy over his military record.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoking
Verb
-
The shift risks creating uneven protections, as state offices lack the federal power to threaten schools with funding cuts.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The innovation enables an autonomous drone to record important operational and sensor data directly onto a blockchain during flight, creating a secure and tamper-resistant record of its activities.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel struck oil depots in Tehran, sending up thick smoke and causing environmental alerts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The blast early yesterday damaged one of the entrances to the embassy, sending thick smoke into the street but causing no injuries, in what police said may have been linked to the crisis in the Middle East.—
Yarden Segev,
NBC news,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Republican voters demonstrated their willingness to embrace ultra-conservative candidates by bringing Attorney General Ken Paxton close to victory in the Senate primary despite his scandals and controversial history, suggesting the rightward trajectory of the GOP continues[1].—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The outbreak of the Iran war has shaken the world’s oil market, bringing new uncertainty as analysts warn of potential spikes in oil and gasoline prices.—
Chaewon Chung
March 3,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The machine scanned the skull using bright, nondestructive X-rays, generating over 9,000 high-resolution images and terabytes of data.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
These include revenue-generating methods to balance the budget deficit.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The United States and Israel have conducted coordinated strikes on Iran since February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks that have escalated into a widening war across the Middle East.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Police and firefighters failed to respond during the rampage, prompting furious residents to demand why no one helped them.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Similarly, Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said in December that the bank is doing a lot more because of AI.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
An officer monitoring a vehicle X-ray machine did not detect anything wrong with the vehicle, but another officer doing a physical inspection spotted the woman’s foot, according to the complaint.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grunion are known to make a faint squeaking noise while spawning.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Known for satirizing horror flicks, the Scary Movie films launched with the first title hitting theaters in 2000 before spawning four sequels.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That minority owner Tom Brady, fresh off producing a documentary on the 49ers’ 1980s dynasty for AMC, would ship his best player to his native Bay Area?—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
That discontent then feeds domestic politics, producing anti-globalization policies like tariffs; that, in turn, feeds back into the international system, deepening instability.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invoking. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
