invoke

IPA/ɪnˈvəʊk/
KK[ˌɪnvˈok]IPA/ɪnˈvəʊk/

invoke — verb

  • invokepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • invokeshe / she / it
  • invokedpast simple
  • invoking-ing form

1. to refer to a law, rule, or official agreement as the basis for taking a particu

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to refer to a law, rule, or official agreement as the basis for taking a particular action or for supporting a claim or argument

Example

The lawyer invoked a clause in the contract to free her client from the deal.

invoke + (law/clause/contract) in legal contexts

During the debate, Ilan invoked an article of the constitution to support his argument.

Common collocations
  • invoke the law
  • invoke a clause
  • invoke a rule
  • invoke a principle
  • invoke a precedent
Synonyms
  • cite

    more neutral; 'cite' simply mentions a source without the legal weight that 'invoke' carries

  • appeal to

    less formal; 'appeal to' suggests asking someone to accept the authority, whereas 'invoke' assumes the authority directly

  • refer to

    broader and more neutral; 'refer to' can be used in any register, while 'invoke' is distinctly formal

Antonyms
  • ignore

    to deliberately not use a relevant law or rule

  • disregard

    to set aside or pay no attention to a rule that could be invoked

Grammar Patterns

invoke + (law/rule/clause/principle) as authority

Usage Note

Frequently used in legal, political, and formal contexts. The object is typically an abstract noun referring to a rule, law, clause, principle, or precedent.

Common Mistakes

I invoked the school rules to ask the teacher a question.
I referred to the school rules to ask the teacher a question.
'invoke' sounds too formal for everyday school situations; use 'refer to' or 'mention' instead.
The manager invoked the company policy to fire the employee.
The manager applied the company policy to dismiss the employee.
'invoke' implies citing as authority for an action; 'apply' is more natural when actually enforcing a policy.

2. to ask a god, spirit, or higher power for help, protection, or guidance, especia

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to ask a god, spirit, or higher power for help, protection, or guidance, especially in difficult times

Example

The elders invoked the rain god during the ceremony, hoping the dry spell would end.

invoke + (god/deity) in a ritual context

Before the long journey, the travellers invoked their ancestors for protection.

Common collocations
  • invoke a god
  • invoke a spirit
  • invoke protection
  • invoke guidance
  • invoke the ancestors
Synonyms
  • pray to

    more common in everyday religious language; 'pray to' is less formal than 'invoke'

  • call upon

    similar formality but broader; 'call upon' can also mean asking ordinary people for help

  • beseech

    more intense and emotional; 'beseech' means to beg urgently, while 'invoke' is more about formally calling for aid

Antonyms
  • ignore

    to pay no attention to a deity or spiritual power

  • renounce

    to formally give up or reject a spiritual connection

Grammar Patterns

invoke + (god/spirit/deity) for help or protection

Usage Note

Common in religious, spiritual, or ceremonial contexts. Subject is often a priest, elder, or worshipper; the object is a god, spirit, or supernatural entity.

Common Mistakes

She invoked her mother for help with the homework.
She asked her mother for help with the homework.
'invoke' is only used for supernatural or higher powers, not for ordinary people.

3. to bring a particular emotion, image, or memory into someone's mind, especially

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to bring a particular emotion, image, or memory into someone's mind, especially through words, art, or a sensory experience

Example

The old photographs invoked warm memories of summer holidays for Amelia and her brother.

invoke + (memory/feeling) — formal/literary use

A familiar smell can invoke a strong feeling tied to a place from your past.

Common collocations
  • invoke memories
  • invoke feelings
  • invoke a sense of
  • invoke images
Synonyms
  • evoke

    more common and less formal; 'evoke' is the everyday word for bringing feelings or memories to mind

  • conjure up

    more vivid and slightly informal; 'conjure up' suggests a stronger, more imaginative mental image

  • stir up

    informal and often implies causing strong, sometimes negative emotions

Antonyms
  • suppress

    to prevent a feeling or memory from arising

  • stifle

    to hold back or stop an emotion from being expressed

Grammar Patterns

invoke + (feeling/memory/image) in someone

Usage Note

Distinguish from 'evoke', which is more common in everyday English for feelings and memories. 'Invoke' carries a stronger sense of deliberate intent and is distinctly more formal.

Common Mistakes

The song invoked sad feelings in me.
The song evoked sad feelings in me.
'evoke' is the natural choice for emotions and memories; 'invoke' sounds overly formal and suggests intentional summoning.

4. to call a spirit, demon, or magical force into existence by speaking special wor

4.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to call a spirit, demon, or magical force into existence by speaking special words or performing a ritual

Example

The wizard invoked a powerful spell to protect the village from the dragon.

invoke + (spell/magic) in fantasy contexts

The witch invoked the spirit of the old tree to ask for its wisdom.

Common collocations
  • invoke a spell
  • invoke a demon
  • invoke magic
  • invoke the spirits
Synonyms
  • conjure

    more specific to magic; 'conjure' strongly implies a magical act, while 'invoke' can also be religious or formal

  • summon

    broader; 'summon' can be used for calling any being or force, magical or not

  • call forth

    more literary and descriptive; 'call forth' emphasises the act of bringing something into appearance

Antonyms
  • banish

    to send away or drive out a spirit or magical force

  • dismiss

    to send away a summoned being, ending its presence

Grammar Patterns

invoke + (spell/spirit/demon) through words or ritual

Usage Note

Typically found in fantasy literature, mythology, and descriptions of rituals. Often used alongside words like 'spell', 'demon', 'spirit', or 'magic'.

Common Mistakes

He invoked the pizza delivery by calling the restaurant.
He ordered a pizza by calling the restaurant.
'invoke' is not used for ordinary requests; use 'call' or 'order'.

Word family

  • invocation
    nounC1
  • invocatory
    adjectiveC2
  • invoker
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Invoke' is the most formal of the four, carrying legal or ritual weight — you invoke a law, a principle, or a deity. 'Cite' is more neutral and academic: you cite a source, a study, or a passage without necessarily using it as authority for action. 'Appeal to' is less formal than 'invoke' and emphasises persuasion — you appeal to someone's sense of fairness, whereas you invoke a specific rule. 'Refer to' is the broadest and most everyday option: you can refer to anything from a recipe to a textbook. In practice, choose 'invoke' for formal contexts where you are putting a rule or authority into effect, 'cite' for mentioning evidence in writing, 'appeal to' for trying to persuade, and 'refer to' for simple mentions.

cite ↗appeal torefer to ↗invoke ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the right to invoke
  • the power to invoke
  • grounds to invoke

Adverbs

  • frequently invoked
  • commonly invoked
  • wrongly invoked

Phrases

  • invoke the name of

Prepositions

  • invoke in
  • invoke against

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'invoke' comes from Latin 'invocare', meaning 'to call upon'. This is formed from 'in-' (into, upon) and 'vocare' (to call). It entered English through Old French 'invoquer' around the 15th century. The original sense was religious — calling upon a god — which then broadened to include calling upon laws, rules, and eventually any kind of summoning.