Invoke vs. Evoke: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 27, 2024
Invoke is to call upon something, like assistance or authority, while evoke is to bring out emotions, memories, or images.
Key Differences
"Invoke" often refers to the act of calling upon something, especially authority, law, or a higher power, for assistance or as a justification. For example, a lawyer might invoke the Constitution to support an argument. On the other hand, "Evoke" implies bringing to mind or eliciting an emotional response. It is often used in creative contexts, such as a poem that evokes feelings of nostalgia. While invoking is about citing or calling upon, evoking is about creating or stimulating a response.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
In legal and formal settings, "Invoke" is frequently used to refer to the act of applying a principle, a right, or a law. For instance, invoking the Fifth Amendment in a court of law. In contrast, "Evoke" is more about eliciting emotions or memories. A photograph might evoke memories of childhood. Thus, invoke is more about appealing to something concrete like a law or principle, whereas evoke is related to abstract concepts like feelings or memories.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
"Invoke" can also mean to summon or call upon, often in a religious or spiritual context, such as invoking a deity during a ritual. In this sense, it carries an implication of asking for assistance or guidance. Conversely, "Evoke" does not involve a direct request or summoning; rather, it pertains to the act of bringing something to mind indirectly. A novel might evoke the atmosphere of a bygone era without directly referring to it. Here, invoke is about a direct call to an entity, while evoke is about indirectly suggesting or bringing forth an idea or feeling.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
In technology and programming, "Invoke" often refers to the act of executing a function or a process. For instance, invoking a command in a software application. "Evoke," however, is not typically used in this technical context. Instead, it retains its association with stimulating thoughts, feelings, or sensory experiences. For example, a user interface might be designed to evoke ease and familiarity. This highlights invoke as a term for initiating specific actions or processes, and evoke as a term for stirring emotional or sensory associations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
The usage of "Invoke" and "Evoke" also differs in their grammatical object. Typically, one invokes something specific and concrete, like invoking a rule, a privilege, or a spirit. In contrast, one evokes something more abstract, like evoking a mood, an image, or a response. For example, a speaker might invoke a policy to make a point, whereas the same speaker might use a story to evoke empathy in the audience. This difference underlines invoke's association with specific, often tangible entities and evoke's connection with abstract concepts or emotional states.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To call upon authority, assistance, or a concept
To bring out emotions, memories, or images
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Common Uses
Invoking laws, rights, functions
Evoking feelings, atmospheres, responses
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Result
Achieving a specific action or response
Generating a mental or emotional reaction
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
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Invoke and Evoke Definitions
Invoke
To appeal to a higher principle or law for support.
Activists often invoke human rights in their campaigns.
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To create an image or impression.
Her poetry evokes a vivid picture of the landscape.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To activate or put into effect.
The programmer invoked the new software protocol.
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To cause a particular reaction or response.
The fragrance evoked feelings of nostalgia.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To formally call upon authority or power.
The attorney invoked the Fifth Amendment.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
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Evoke
To bring about or generate an emotional response.
The speech evoked a sense of pride among the listeners.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To call for assistance or inspiration.
He invoked his mentor’s teachings during the speech.
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To give rise to; draw forth; produce
Words that evoked a smile.
Actions that evoked mistrust.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To call on (a higher power) for assistance, support, or inspiration
"Stretching out her hands she had the air of a Greek woman who invoked a deity" (Ford Madox Ford).
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To call to mind, as by suggestion, association, or reference
Songs that evoke old memories.
A speech that evoked the words of Jefferson.
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To create anew, especially by means of the imagination
A novel that accurately evokes the Depression.
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Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To call for earnestly; solicit
Invoked the help of a passing motorist.
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Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To resort to; use or apply
"Shamelessly, he invokes coincidence to achieve ironic effect" (Newsweek).
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To cause the manifestation of something (emotion, picture, etc.) in someone's mind or imagination.
Being here evokes long forgotten memories.
Seeing this happen equally evokes fear and anger in me.
The book evokes a detailed and lively picture of what life was like in the 19th century.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
(transitive) To call upon (a person, a god) for help, assistance or guidance.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To call out; to summon forth.
To evoke the queen of the fairies.
A regulating discipline of exercise, that whilst evoking the human energies, will not suffer them to be wasted.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
(transitive) To solicit, petition for, appeal to a favorable attitude.
The envoy invoked the King of Kings's magnanimity to reduce his province's tribute after another drought.
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
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Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
(transitive) To appeal for validation to a (notably cited) authority.
In certain Christian circles, invoking the Bible constitutes irrefutable proof.
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Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
(transitive) To conjure up with incantations.
This satanist ritual invokes Beelzebub.
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning);
We drew out some interesting linguistic data from the native informant
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Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
(transitive) To bring about as an inevitable consequence.
Blasphemy is taboo as it may invoke divine wrath.
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Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
Evoke or call forth, with or as if by magic;
Raise the specter of unemployment
He conjured wild birds in the air
Stir a disturbance
Call down the spirits from the mountain
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To cause (a program or subroutine) to execute.
Interactive programs let the users enter choices and invoke the corresponding routines.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
To call on for aid or protection; to invite earnestly or solemnly; to summon; to address in prayer; to solicit or demand by invocation; to implore; as, to invoke the Supreme Being, or to invoke His and blessing.
Go, my dread lord, to your great grandsire's tomb, . . . Invoke his warlike spirit.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To bring to mind or recall.
The melody evoked memories of her childhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
Evoke or call forth, with or as if by magic;
Raise the specter of unemployment
He conjured wild birds in the air
Stir a disturbance
Call down the spirits from the mountain
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Evoke
To produce a strong feeling or response.
The movie evoked deep emotions in the audience.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
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
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Invoke
Request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection;
Appeal to somebody for help
Invoke God in times of trouble
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Jan 05, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does invoke mean?
To call upon authority or power for help or support.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
In what context is invoke typically used?
Legal, religious, and technical fields.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Can invoke be used in technology?
Yes, like invoking a command or function in programming.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
When is evoke commonly used?
In artistic and emotional contexts to describe inducing feelings or memories.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Is evoke used in legal terms?
Rarely, as it pertains more to emotional and sensory responses.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Can a person be evoked?
Indirectly, as in evoking the memory or essence of a person.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Can a person be invoked?
Yes, like invoking a spirit or a historical figure.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
What is an example of invoking something?
Invoking a legal precedent in a courtroom.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
What's an example of evoking something?
A song evoking a sense of longing or nostalgia.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Is invoke about creating a mood?
No, it’s more about actively calling upon something.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Does evoke imply an intentional action?
Not necessarily, it often happens spontaneously.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Can a speech invoke authority?
Yes, when it appeals to a higher principle or law.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Does invoke have a religious connotation?
It can, like invoking a deity or sacred principle.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Can landscapes evoke feelings?
Yes, landscapes can evoke tranquility, awe, or other emotions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Is invoking a right common?
Yes, especially in legal and civil rights contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Do artists tend to evoke rather than invoke?
Yes, artists often aim to evoke emotions or images.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Can a speech evoke emotions?
Absolutely, speeches often aim to evoke feelings in the audience.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Is evoke related to sensory experiences?
Yes, such as evoking tastes, smells, or sounds.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
Can a policy be invoked?
Yes, when it’s applied or referred to in a specific context.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 27, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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