Definition

1. Verb:
   • To call upon (a higher power, authority, or principle) for assistance, support, or inspiration: To earnestly request help, often from a divine or legal source.
   • To cite or appeal to (an authority, law, or precedent) as justification for an action: To use a rule, principle, or figure as a basis for an argument or decision.
   • To summon or bring into existence, as if by magic or command: To cause something to appear or to be felt, often an abstract concept like a feeling or memory.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The priest will invoke divine blessing during the ceremony.
  • The lawyer invoked a little-known statute to defend her client.
  • The old song invoked a powerful sense of nostalgia in the listeners.

Advanced Usage

• "invoke a right": To formally call upon or exercise a legal or moral right.

  • The suspect invoked his right to remain silent.

• "invoke a procedure": In computing, to initiate or call a specific routine or function.

  • The program will invoke the backup procedure automatically.

• "invoke a memory/image": To bring a specific memory or mental picture vividly to mind.

  • The smell of rain invoked memories of her childhood.

Variants and Related Words

• Invocation (n): The act of invoking, especially a prayer or formula used at the beginning of a ceremony.

  • The ceremony began with an invocation to the gods.

• Invoker (n): One who invokes.

  • The invoker of the ancient spell.

Synonyms

• Appeal to: To make a serious or urgent request.
• Conjure: To summon, as if by magic; to bring to mind.
• Cite: To quote or refer to as an authority or example.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(The word "invoke" is not commonly used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically conveyed directly or through prepositional phrases like "invoke against" or "invoke in favor of.")

Related Idioms

• "Invoke the fifth": (U.S. English) A colloquial reference to invoking the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination.
  • When asked about the incident, he chose to invoke the fifth.

Verb

1. request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection
   • appeal to somebody for help
   • Invoke God in times of trouble
2. cite as an authority; resort to
   • He invoked the law that would save him
   • I appealed to the law of 1900
   • She invoked an ancient law
3. summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
   • raise the specter of unemployment
   • he conjured wild birds in the air
   • call down the spirits from the mountain