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
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Recent Examples of invoking
Republicans said after a private lunch meeting that there were other options than invoking the national emergency.
—
Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Blazy came to them with the idea of invoking the real-life boyfriend of Coco Chanel, Boy Capel, who was a real-life client of Charvet.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
Switzerland has blocked any new sales of arms to the United States, invoking its policy of strict neutrality toward countries involved in armed conflict.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
The BlueRibbon Coalition is undeterred, deliberately invoking the massive federal efforts that built the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams and filled Lake Powell and Lake Mead with Colorado River water.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
But invoking narratives that suggest American problems exist because of support for Israel crosses a line.
—Andy Bachman, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
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, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
From Colton Parayko invoking his no-trade to stop a trade to Buffalo, to Vincent Trocheck’s East Coast preference, general managers’ options were limited relative to seasons past.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The specificity of her words — invoking Venus of Pompeii by name — anchors the message in place and time with remarkable intimacy.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Blazy came to them with the idea of invoking the real-life boyfriend of Coco Chanel, Boy Capel, who was a real-life client of Charvet.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
Switzerland has blocked any new sales of arms to the United States, invoking its policy of strict neutrality toward countries involved in armed conflict.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
The BlueRibbon Coalition is undeterred, deliberately invoking the massive federal efforts that built the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams and filled Lake Powell and Lake Mead with Colorado River water.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
But invoking narratives that suggest American problems exist because of support for Israel crosses a line.
—Andy Bachman, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
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, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
From Colton Parayko invoking his no-trade to stop a trade to Buffalo, to Vincent Trocheck’s East Coast preference, general managers’ options were limited relative to seasons past.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The specificity of her words — invoking Venus of Pompeii by name — anchors the message in place and time with remarkable intimacy.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoking
Verb
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On the Island of the Gods, fresh ideas arrive like waves, creating a glorious cocktail of cultures and influences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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One recalled how their oldest child once pushed an unplugged vacuum cleaner across the living room, carefully creating vacuum lines without actually cleaning anything.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The waterway, a critical shipping route, has essentially been closed for the duration of the conflict, causing a supply glut in the oil market that has sent prices skyrocketing.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
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Iran also has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint through which 20% of the world's oil normally flows, causing fuel prices to soar and other economic tumult.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Samsung Browser is now officially available on Windows devices after a six-month test, bringing the previously exclusive mobile browser to desktop for the first time.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
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Iran has responded by effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, bringing oil shipments to a halt and causing the global economy to wobble.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The pilot, which became operational in October 2020, consists of two offshore wind energy turbines generating 6-megawatts each — enough to power up to 3,000 homes.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
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OpenAI shuttered its video generating app Sora, six months on from launching the service.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Oroz did not make a statement during the hearing and kept his gaze lowered throughout, including while a video was played in court featuring photos and video clips of the boy’s life, prompting Superior Court Judge Daniel Link to tell Oroz to look up and watch the video.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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But legislators did not include an enforcement mechanism in the bill, and Boise kept its rainbow banner flying, prompting inquiries to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In doing so, a supreme intelligence began to emerge.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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Instead, Hall put on late-night shows in the basement of his home and became a popular child magician, earning money by doing his routine at ritzy parties and travelling to magic conventions.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president vowed late Thursday to find a way to pay Transportation Safety Administration screeners who have been forced to work without paychecks for more than a month, spawning chaotic hours-long lines at some airports.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The video blew up on Chinese social media, becoming a top trending topic and reaching more than 90 million views on Douyin and Weibo, two major platforms – with the video quickly spawning countless memes and group-chat discussions.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The American Meteor Society says that there was a notable increase in fireball activity in early 2026, with ten incidents until mid-March producing more than 100 witness reports apiece.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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Today, two small new volcanoes are growing out of its bay, and another one called Kolumbo — capable of producing fearsome tsunamis and clouds of suffocating gases — lurks underwater just offshore.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invoking. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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