invoke

[ in-vohk ]

See synonyms for: invoke invoked invoking on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),in·voked, in·vok·ing.

to call for with earnest desire; make supplication or pray for: to invoke God's mercy.
to call on (a deity, Muse, etc.), as in prayer or supplication.

to declare to be binding or in effect: to invoke the law;to invoke a veto.
to appeal to, as for confirmation.
to petition or call on for help or aid.
to call forth or upon (a spirit) by incantation.
Computers. to cause to be displayed, opened, or executed by clicking on a link, entering a search term, changing a parameter, etc.: Press and hold the R key to temporarily invoke the Rotate View tool, then drag your document to rotate.
to cause, call forth, or bring about.

Origin of invoke

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin invocāre, equivalent to in- in-² + vocāre “to call,” akin to vōx voice

Other words from invoke

in·vo·ca·ble, adjective
in·vok·er, noun
re·in·voke, verb (used with object), re·in·voked, re·in·vok·ing.
un·in·vo·ca·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use invoke in a sentence

Sometimes, the injuries officers cited when they invoked the victim status were as minor as a scraped knee, soreness or a twisted wrist.
How Cops Who Use Force and Even Kill Can Hide Their Names From the Public | by Kenny Jacoby, USA Today and Ryan Gabrielson, ProPublica | October 29, 2020 | ProPublica
She has previously drawn criticism for invoking her brother’s name while doing Kushner Companies’ business.
The Kushners’ Freddie Mac Loan Wasn’t Just Massive. It Came With Unusually Good Terms, Too. | by Heather Vogell | October 1, 2020 | ProPublica
On most controversial items before the board, the city of San Diego has invoked the weighted vote, muscling Ikhrata’s vision through opposition.
Politics Report: Audit Day at SANDAG | Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts | September 19, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
We don’t need to invoke undiscovered planets to explain what we see.
A weirdly warped planet-forming disk circles a distant trio of stars | Lisa Grossman | September 3, 2020 | Science News
When the court heard arguments by telephone in May because of the coronavirus outbreak, justices invoked fears of bribery and chaos if electors could cast their ballots regardless of the popular vote outcome in their states.
Supreme Court rules states can require presidential electors to back popular vote winner | Rachel Schallom | July 6, 2020 | Fortune

British Dictionary definitions for invoke

invoke

/ (ɪnˈvəʊk) /

verb(tr)

to call upon (an agent, esp God or another deity) for help, inspiration, etc
to put (a law, penalty, etc) into use: the union invoked the dispute procedure

to appeal to (an outside agent or authority) for confirmation, corroboration, etc
to implore or beg (help, etc)
to summon (a spirit, demon, etc); conjure up

Origin of invoke

C15: from Latin invocāre to call upon, appeal to, from vocāre to call

usage For invoke

Invoke is sometimes wrongly used where evoke is meant: this proposal evoked (not invoked) a strong reaction

Derived forms of invoke

invocable, adjective
invoker, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse