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evoke or invoke?
Don’t feel bad if you have difficulty remembering the difference between evoke and invoke, as the words are quite similar in many ways and have considerable overlap in meaning. However, the words do differ, and you would not want to substitute one for the other. Invoke is used of putting into effect or calling upon such things as laws, authority, or privilege (“the principal invoked a rule forbidding students from asking questions”). Evoke is primarily used in the sense “to call forth or up” and is often found in connection with such things as memories, emotions, or sympathy.
Examples of evoke in a Sentence
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Adolpho Veloso’s cinematography evokes the stillness and grace of Terrence Malick, while Bryce Dessner’s original score — featuring contributions from Nick Cave on the titular song — stitches together the film’s spiritual undercurrent.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
The hefty glass bottles and their caps, which evoke the vibrant solidity of terrazzo, reflect the approach.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Though forged with simple materials, Luise Kaish’s canvas collages do indeed evoke a sense of wonder.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for evoke
Cite this Entry
“Evoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evoke. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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