as in creating
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
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Recent Examples of invoking
Presidents have long turned to scripture as a rhetorical tool, invoking the Bible to frame moments of national crisis or purpose.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 May 2026
Its size and its rate of expansion can't be simultaneously specified with perfect precision, and that fundamental fuzziness might be enough to explain dark energy without invoking any new physics at all.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 26 May 2026
His responses to later questions invoking his right to remain silent could also not be admitted, Carro ruled.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Republicans have been invoking complex budget rules to try to secure passage without any Democratic support.
—Nolan D. McCaskill, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Trump, in invoking it, was drawing on something real.
—Xianda Huang, The Conversation, 16 May 2026
McDonald’s is the second licensee partner for Booker’s signature line, following Chevrolet for a release last year invoking his love of classic cars.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Griffin closed with a broader warning for New York, invoking a familiar cautionary tale.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Senior White House staff discussed invoking the Twenty-fifth as Nixon spiralled into paranoia.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 May 2026
Its size and its rate of expansion can't be simultaneously specified with perfect precision, and that fundamental fuzziness might be enough to explain dark energy without invoking any new physics at all.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 26 May 2026
His responses to later questions invoking his right to remain silent could also not be admitted, Carro ruled.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Republicans have been invoking complex budget rules to try to secure passage without any Democratic support.
—Nolan D. McCaskill, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Trump, in invoking it, was drawing on something real.
—Xianda Huang, The Conversation, 16 May 2026
McDonald’s is the second licensee partner for Booker’s signature line, following Chevrolet for a release last year invoking his love of classic cars.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Griffin closed with a broader warning for New York, invoking a familiar cautionary tale.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Senior White House staff discussed invoking the Twenty-fifth as Nixon spiralled into paranoia.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invoking
Verb
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This luxury hotel is famously set in a former Ottoman prison, creating a paradoxically private and peaceful enclave in the middle of bustling Sultanahmet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Earlier this year, Democratic leaders worried that their voters would splinter among their candidates, creating a scenario where two Republicans advanced to the general election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Occasionally, breakfast proceedings would be interrupted by a cheeky monkey sitting up on the rafters, and staffers would be on high alert with their wild gesticulating, causing tittering among diners.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Before striking a pipeline, causing a natural gas leak and subsequent explosion, an engineering firm did follow proper protocol to begin work at a Dallas apartment building.—
Brian New,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The New Year eventually came, bringing with it fresh hopes and prayers and celebrations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
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Fresh Market of Northtown Plans for a brand new, full-service grocery store in North Kansas City moved forward Tuesday evening, making the city one step closer to accomplishing a years-long goal of bringing a new grocer to the area.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Verb
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First, the investor can gain leverage by generating the cash needed to go long by selling something else short, resulting in a net $0 cash outlay.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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Before launching Getmany, Kozak spent nearly a decade operating agencies on Upwork, reportedly generating more than US$5 million in total agency revenue and personally earning more than US$1 million through the platform.—
Craig Lebrau,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The approach of both Biden and then Harris to this issue angered progressives, prompting many to vote for third parties in numbers that may have made the difference in swing states like Michigan.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
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The concerts were canceled after the terrorist plot was uncovered, prompting Swifties to take to the streets to come together in an act of communal support.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Every generation eventually rewrites George Washington, which tells you less about Washington than about the country doing the rewriting.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2026
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Pritzker has proposed a social media tax projected to bring in about $200 million from large tech companies doing business in Illinois.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Like Heated Rivalry before it, Off Campus became an instant sensation, spawning a passionate fanbase that’s ready to see how the rest of Kennedy’s books might be adapted in future seasons.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
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This embrace of coal is a short-term fix—extending the life spans of older coal-burning plants rather than spawning a wave of new ones.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Verb
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When a crop such as lettuce is done producing, it is cut at ground level so the roots stay in the ground, helping feed soil microbes.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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Djokovic held a 2-0 set lead, but the 19-year-old Brazilian bounced back to win the next three sets – producing the stunning victory against the Serbian superstar.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invoking. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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