invoke

verb

in-ˈvōk How to pronounce invoke (audio)
Definition of invokenext
as in to create
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of invoke But the Iran example – and particularly the ongoing episodic closures of the Strait of Hormuz – is one of the best illustrations today of how merely invoking credibility to act is not the same as having an overall endgame strategy. — Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 The potential double jeopardy argument permeated pretrial court hearings, with prosecutors suggesting the defense was using delay tactics to invoke double jeopardy. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026 Harry’s vow to invoke his mother in future charitable endeavors sits in stark contrast to older brother Prince William’s approach. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026 Here, the line invokes the possible; the spoken decision not to tell acts as any secret—to whet the listener’s own desire to know. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invoke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoke
  1. create
  2. cause
  3. bring
  4. generate
  5. prompt
  6. do
  7. produce
Verb
  • For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The working group of administrators and Greek life representatives created action plans for each chapter to resume operations in fall 2018 based on a blind review of their previous four years.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of create
Verb
  • Extreme tropical weather led to two deaths in Mexico and caused widespread damage over the weekend as Hurricane Simon pounded the country's Pacific coast, authorities said Monday.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Her heart cells had been infected with parvovirus B19, the virus that more commonly causes Fifth Disease.
    — Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of cause
Verb
  • Creality's approach is rather different, swapping smaller nozzle assemblies instead of complete print heads, and potentially bringing the benefits of multi-nozzle printing to a more affordable machine.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For the Bills fans, the store opening is bringing a slice of home and Upstate New York.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of bring
Verb
  • The ability for anyone to generate strategy, code, or creative work in seconds effectively filled in the moats built on blitzscaling overnight.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Its streaming app hosts short-form true crime audio and video shows that are fully AI-generated.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of generate
Verb
  • Ukraine's Foreign Ministry apologized on Sunday after a drone entered Lithuania's airspace, prompting authorities to issue an air raid warning.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The diesel deal, made as domestic diesel prices remain above $6 a gallon on average, has prompted bipartisan backlash from lawmakers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of prompt
Verb
  • PhotoTat can have additional practical applications, including for medical tattoos like those done on cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI has reportedly floated the idea of giving the government up to a 5% stake in the company and suggested other leading AI companies do the same.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of do
Verb
  • The three colors are mixed in different combinations and ratios, producing 16 different shades.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In particular, genes involved in the function of Jonathan's mitochondria -- which are structures inside cells that produce energy -- appeared similar to those from a 5-year-old tortoise named Hatchling.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of produce

Browse Nearby Words

invoicing
invoke
invoked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invoke. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All