invoked

American  

[in-vohkt] / ɪnˈvoʊkt /

adjective

1. (of a deity, saint, Muse, etc.) petitioned, prayed to, or called upon for help or aid.

   On all four sides of the obelisk there are inscriptions associating the invoked deities with the cardinal points of the compass.

2. prayed or asked for with earnest desire.

   Many drivers who have miraculously escaped from car accidents credit the invoked protection of St. Christopher.

3. declared to be in effect.

   While overseas he was detained by local police for allegedly misstating his company's registered assets—a rarely invoked charge.

4. appealed to or mentioned, as for confirmation or justification.

   This logic of caution is most recognizable in the often invoked slogan that “risk management is good business.”

5. (of a spirit) called forth or summoned by incantation.

   The initiation ritual is a one-to-one encounter with an initiator, who acts as agent for the invoked powers in the spirit world.

6. Computers. displayed, opened, or executed as a result of clicking on a link, entering a search term, changing a parameter, etc..

   If you click on the Back arrow, the invoked view will replace the current view in the navigation history.

7. caused or brought about by a certain thing or in a certain way (often used in combination).

   The report ignored the millions of refugees fleeing the recent military-invoked escalation of violence in the region.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of invoke.

Other Word Forms

• uninvoked adjective

Etymology

Origin of invoked

First recorded in 1795–1805; invoke ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; invoke ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

The company first previewed Sora to the world two years ago, showing dreamlike landscapes conjured up by the technology that invoked the fantastical worlds of Hayao Miyazaki, or perhaps the surrealism of Salvador Dalí.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

In a deposition, DeMarco said that Drylie invoked his right not to incriminate himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Other MSPs, including Lorna Slater of the Scottish Greens, invoked deeply personal experiences in supporting the bill.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Dubai-based influencers have showcased support for the government and invoked a sense of national belonging -- hammering home the message that the country was as safe as ever.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

I was only aware that someone had invoked their right over the body of my son.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Related Words

• imposed
• prescribed
• required
• sanctioned