evocative

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈvä-kə-tiv How to pronounce evocative (audio)
Synonyms of evocative
: evoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response
… settings … so evocative that they bring tears to the eyes …—Eric Malpass
evocatively adverb
evocativeness noun

Synonyms of evocative

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Examples of evocative in a Sentence

He wrote a powerful and evocative biography. the Italian-American restaurant is decorated in a manner evocative of the charming outdoor cafés in Italy
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But many of the film’s most evocative images, often involving groups of soldiers, handsome and glistening and in varying stages of undress, remain just that — images without a strong connection to the larger storytelling. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The French luxury fashion house design was evocative of ’90s minimalism with its silhouette, and its overall shimmer and ruffled skirt elevated the silhouette. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 Brooke Reese, the host of Apple Music’s Global Chart Show, says that beyond radio play and chart domination, audiences appreciate an evocative and vulnerable performance, which doesn’t always require jaw-dropping vocals. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture. — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evocative

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of evocative was in 1657

Rhymes for evocative

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Browse Nearby Words

evocation
evocative
evocatively
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Cite this Entry

“Evocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evocative. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

evocative

adjective
evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈväk-ət-iv How to pronounce evocative (audio)
: having the power to evoke an especially emotional response
an evocative photograph
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