invoke

[ in-vohk ]

/ ɪnˈvoʊk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR invoke 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.

to cause, call forth, or bring about.

Nearby words

inviting, invocate, invocation, invocative, invoice, invoke, involucel, involucrate, involucre, involucrum, involuntary

Origin of invoke

1480–90; < Latin invocāre, equivalent to in- in-² + vocāre to call, akin to vōx voice

Related forms

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

un·in·voked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for invoke

Before you invoke images of a nation enjoying more indolence than industry, there is an uncomfortable statistic to digest.
Obama’s Extravagant Summer Break? More Like, America’s Vacation-Deficit Disorder|Clive Irving|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Alas, I must invoke Marx, because it is a question of limited resources.
Reading Prison Novels In Prison|Daniel Genis|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Do I, a law professor, get to invoke the privilege when I write a piece for The Daily Beast?
Democracy Demands a Journalist-Source Shield Law|Geoffrey R. Stone|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Does a personal blogger writing on Facebook get to invoke the privilege?
Democracy Demands a Journalist-Source Shield Law|Geoffrey R. Stone|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The conservative line on Bridgegate is to invoke Benghazi or the IRS scandal, but that doesn't make any sense.
Changing the Subject Won't Work|Jamelle Bouie|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is useless to invoke the gods for his success, and it is not worth while, he added, with a faint smile.
Christ Legends|Selma Lagerlf
He could not invoke the friendship of the Third Estate, for as yet none existed.
The Holy Roman Empire|James Bryce
It is not surprising, therefore, to find the sectaries soon again driven to invoke the protection of the king.
The Emancipation of Massachusetts|Brooks Adams
She had asked Peggy to invoke the compassion and aid of the other girls and to do what she could for Yvonne herself.
The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor|Margaret Vandercook
I trust thou dost—and not as I have heard That worldlings do, invoke them in mere blasphemy.Ant.
Olla Podrida|Frederick Marryat

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 usethe 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

Derived Formsinvocable, adjectiveinvoker, noun

Word Origin for invoke

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

usage

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

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

invoke

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

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