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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of invoking
By invoking the Brazilian driver who tragically died in 1994, Bad Bunny underscores the risks of being at the top while celebrating his rise.
—
Denny Alfonso, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Platforms evade responsibility by invoking Section 230 and the language of free speech, while in practice exercising enormous editorial power over what the public sees, believes and reacts to.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
President Erdoğan mastered this approach—publicly criticizing rate decisions, invoking Islamic prohibitions on interest, signaling displeasure through state media—until governors either complied or departed.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Rinna wrote in reply, invoking one of her other classic Housewives quips in a dig at Underwood.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The film takes some departures from the visual styles found in Pickford’s other films, invoking an unusual tone of despair while deploying camera angles and lighting akin to German Expressionist cinema.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Joy invoking a memory of a home warm and wide and sheltering.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The film documents how citizens, journalists, YouTubers, lawmakers and aides spontaneously blocked the troops’ advance, invoking memories of the Gwangju Democratic Uprising 45 years earlier.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
But as the healer grows graver, invoking notions of lust, desire, and indecency, the boys undergo a kind of exorcism.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Denny Alfonso, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Platforms evade responsibility by invoking Section 230 and the language of free speech, while in practice exercising enormous editorial power over what the public sees, believes and reacts to.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
President Erdoğan mastered this approach—publicly criticizing rate decisions, invoking Islamic prohibitions on interest, signaling displeasure through state media—until governors either complied or departed.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Rinna wrote in reply, invoking one of her other classic Housewives quips in a dig at Underwood.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The film takes some departures from the visual styles found in Pickford’s other films, invoking an unusual tone of despair while deploying camera angles and lighting akin to German Expressionist cinema.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Joy invoking a memory of a home warm and wide and sheltering.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The film documents how citizens, journalists, YouTubers, lawmakers and aides spontaneously blocked the troops’ advance, invoking memories of the Gwangju Democratic Uprising 45 years earlier.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
But as the healer grows graver, invoking notions of lust, desire, and indecency, the boys undergo a kind of exorcism.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoking
Verb
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When creating the outfits for the first 2001 Bridget Jones cast, Fleming sought to give Jones — whose diary entries detailed her romantic adventures, weight, and alcohol and cigarette consumption — a pragmatic, somewhat disheveled look that would feel relatable to busy women.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The wreath is made with artificial jasmine, lavender, and daisies, as well as other wildflowers, creating a vibrant piece for your front door.—
Jamie Weissman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The winds also gusted as high as 43 mph at San Diego International Airport, delaying 246 flights, and whipped up ocean waves that are expected to reach the 9- to 12-foot range this week at local beaches, potentially causing beach erosion.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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And some say Mercor is causing job displacement, replacing stable full-time careers with gig work that will contribute to AI taking human jobs.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meyer was charged with bringing a new rigor to negotiations with the league, and the current deal reflects some success.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tesla’s fledgling robotaxi service logged five new crashes in December and January, bringing the total to 14 since launching in Austin, Texas, last summer.—
Jordyn Grzelewski,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most fusion technologies, as well as nuclear fission, are based on generating heat to power steam turbines, which produce the electricity.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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In a bow drill, a bow moves a string wrapped around the drill shaft, generating faster and more controlled drilling than pushing or twisting by hand.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More than 30 people were killed in the clashes, prompting condemnation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who invoked the country’s peaceful heritage.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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In September, a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland's airspace, prompting NATO aircraft to scramble to intercept them and shoot down some of the devices.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In saliva samples from 628 adults, researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi found that people living with obesity host a distinct oral microbiome, one that differs not just in species, but in what those microbes are actively doing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
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Gage’s Robert is also no slouch in the come-on department, gushing over Jack’s appearance and enticing him by wearing women’s lingerie and doing you don’t want to know what else.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The movie also offers a bunch of original Charli XCX tunes, spawning a soundtrack much better than the singer’s own lackluster mockumentary.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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That was the game that saw Perry ejected just a few minutes in, followed by him having to make the long walk from the rink to the dressing room at the Cotton Bowl, spawning a million memes in the process.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Notaro was also the person who first brought this idea to director Ryan White and his producing partner, Jessica Hargrave (Good Night Oppy).—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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With just a few supplies and some elbow grease, your ice maker will be back to producing fresh, clean ice in no time.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invoking. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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