Invoke vs. Provoke: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Invoke" means to call upon something, especially aid, authority, or a law, while "Provoke" means to stimulate or give rise to a reaction, often anger or irritation.
Key Differences
"Invoke" and "Provoke" are both verbs, but they serve different functions. "Invoke" often refers to the act of calling upon something, like a higher power or a rule, for support or as justification, such as invoking a law to defend a case. Conversely, "Provoke" means to stimulate or incite someone, typically into a reaction or action, often negative, like provoking anger in someone through teasing.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
The usage of "Invoke" implies a sense of seriousness and formality, often associated with legal, religious, or spiritual contexts. For example, a lawyer might invoke a precedent to strengthen their argument. "Provoke," on the other hand, often carries a connotation of causing disturbance or eliciting an emotional response, like provoking laughter or provoking a fight.
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Dec 09, 2023
In a metaphorical sense, "Invoke" can mean to bring to mind or to cite as relevant, like invoking a memory or a historical event. "Provoke," in its metaphorical use, typically means to trigger or bring about, usually an intangible response such as provoking thought or provoking a debate.
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Dec 09, 2023
"Invoke" often requires an object, something being invoked, like invoking one's right to free speech. "Provoke" also typically requires an object, but it's usually the target of the provocation, like provoking an animal or provoking a crowd.
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Dec 09, 2023
The emotional tone associated with each word is distinct: "Invoke" is neutral or positive, indicating a reasoned or deliberate action. In contrast, "Provoke" often has negative connotations, implying an action that leads to agitation or irritation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
To call upon something for help or as authority
To stimulate or incite a reaction, often negative
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Dec 09, 2023
Connotation
Formal, serious, often positive
Often negative, implying disturbance or agitation
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Dec 09, 2023
Usage
Requires an object, something being invoked
Requires an object, typically the target of provocation
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Dec 09, 2023
Emotional Tone
Neutral or positive, deliberate
Often negative, associated with irritation or anger
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Dec 09, 2023
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Invoke and Provoke Definitions
Invoke
To call on a rule or law for support.
The attorney invoked the First Amendment in the defense case.
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Dec 09, 2023
Provoke
To stimulate or give rise to a reaction.
His comments provoked outrage among the audience.
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Dec 09, 2023
Invoke
To bring to mind or reference.
His speech invoked memories of past struggles.
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Dec 09, 2023
Provoke
To deliberately annoy or anger.
She was trying to provoke him with her constant criticism.
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Dec 09, 2023
Invoke
To put into effect or operation.
The government invoked emergency powers during the crisis.
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Provoke
To incite to action or feeling.
The film's controversial topic provoked much debate.
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Dec 09, 2023
Invoke
To appeal to a higher power for assistance.
She invoked the gods' mercy in her prayers.
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Dec 09, 2023
Provoke
To bring about or induce.
The experiment was designed to provoke a specific response.
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Dec 09, 2023
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).
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Oct 19, 2023
Provoke
To stir to action or feeling
A remark that provoked me to reconsider.
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Oct 19, 2023
Invoke
To call for earnestly; solicit
Invoked the help of a passing motorist.
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Oct 19, 2023
Provoke
To give rise to; bring about
A miscue that provoked laughter.
News that provoked an uproar.
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Oct 19, 2023
Invoke
To resort to; use or apply
"Shamelessly, he invokes coincidence to achieve ironic effect" (Newsweek).
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Oct 19, 2023
Provoke
(transitive) To cause someone to become annoyed or angry.
Don't provoke the dog; it may try to bite you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Invoke
(transitive) To call upon (a person, a god) for help, assistance or guidance.
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
Provoke
To call forth; to call into being or action; esp., to incense to action, a faculty or passion, as love, hate, or ambition; hence, commonly, to incite, as a person, to action by a challenge, by taunts, or by defiance; to exasperate; to irritate; to offend intolerably; to cause to retaliate.
Obey his voice, provoke him not.
Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.
Such actsOf contumacy will provoke the HighestTo make death in us live.
Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust?
To the poet the meaning is what he pleases to make it, what it provokes in his own soul.
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
Invoke
(transitive) To conjure up with incantations.
This satanist ritual invokes Beelzebub.
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Oct 19, 2023
Provoke
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
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Oct 19, 2023
Invoke
(transitive) To bring about as an inevitable consequence.
Blasphemy is taboo as it may invoke divine wrath.
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Oct 19, 2023
Invoke
To cause (a program or subroutine) to execute.
Interactive programs let the users enter choices and invoke the corresponding routines.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Provoke
Annoy continually or chronically;
He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked
This man harasses his female co-workers
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Provoke
To cause a negative emotional response.
The unfair treatment provoked a sense of injustice in them.
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Dec 09, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
Invoke
To cite as justification.
He invoked his extensive experience as a reason for his promotion.
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Dec 09, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "invoke" always used in a religious context?
No, it can be used in legal, spiritual, or general contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can "invoke" mean to reference something?
Yes, like invoking a historical event in a discussion.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is "provoke" used in legal contexts?
Not typically, it's more common in emotional or behavioral contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Does "provoke" always mean to cause anger?
Often, but it can also mean to elicit any strong reaction.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is "provoke" used only in negative situations?
Mostly, though it can sometimes be neutral, like provoking thought.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can "invoke" imply a call for help?
Yes, like invoking assistance in an emergency.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can "invoke" be used metaphorically?
Yes, like invoking an emotion or memory.
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Dec 09, 2023
Does "provoke" always lead to negative outcomes?
Not always, but it often leads to conflict or strong reactions.
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Dec 09, 2023
Does "provoke" imply intentionality?
Yes, it usually implies a deliberate action.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can "invoke" be used in everyday language?
Yes, though it often retains a formal or serious tone.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Does "invoke" require a specific object or concept?
Yes, something is always invoked, like a law or principle.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is "provoke" related to causing a physical reaction?
It can be, like provoking a physical fight.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can "invoke" be used in a casual conversation?
It can, but it might still carry a formal or serious undertone.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can "invoke" refer to starting a process?
Yes, like invoking a procedure or mechanism.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is "invoke" a formal term?
Generally, yes, it's used in formal or serious discussions.
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Dec 09, 2023
Does "provoke" imply a response from a specific target?
Typically, yes, like provoking a person or group.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is "provoke" used in psychological contexts?
Yes, especially regarding emotional or behavioral reactions.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can "invoke" be synonymous with 'evoke'?
Sometimes, but 'invoke' usually has a more formal connotation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can "provoke" mean to challenge?
Yes, in the sense of challenging beliefs or opinions.
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Dec 09, 2023
Does "provoke" imply a more immediate reaction than "invoke"?
Often, "provoke" suggests a more direct and immediate response.
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Dec 09, 2023
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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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