What's the Difference Between 'Evoke' and 'Invoke'?

In this blog post we look at when to use evoke and when to use invoke.

'Evoke' or 'Invoke'?

"Evoke" and "invoke" are both verbs that mean to bring something to mind or to call upon something for help or support. However, there is a subtle difference in the way these terms are used and defined.

"Evoke" means to bring something to mind or to call forth an emotional response or memory.

For example: "The smell of fresh flowers evokes a sense of spring and new beginnings."

"Invoke" means to call upon something for help or support, or to refer to something in order to support an argument or claim.

For example: "He invoked the strength of his ancestors to overcome the obstacle."

In summary, "evoke" means to bring something to mind or to call forth an emotional response or memory, while "invoke" means to call upon something for help or support, or to refer to something in order to support an argument or claim.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference between "evoke" and "invoke":

  • "The song evokes memories of my childhood." (In this sentence, "evoke" is used to describe the action of bringing memories to mind. The song is causing the speaker to think about their childhood.)

  • "She invoked the name of the company's founder in order to lend credibility to her argument." (In this sentence, "invoke" is used to describe the action of calling upon something for support. The speaker is using the name of the company's founder to support their argument.)

  • "The smell of fresh bread always evokes feelings of comfort and home." (In this sentence, "evoke" is used to describe the action of bringing feelings to mind. The smell of fresh bread is causing the speaker to feel comfort and a sense of home.)

  • "The president invoked emergency powers in order to address the crisis." (In this sentence, "invoke" is used to describe the action of calling upon something for help. The president is using emergency powers to address the crisis.)

Examples of Evoke in a Sentence

Here are 10 example sentences using the word "evoke":

  1. "The smell of freshly baked cookies always evokes memories of my grandma's kitchen."

  2. "The sound of the ocean waves evokes a sense of peace and relaxation."

  3. "The sight of the sunset evokes feelings of nostalgia and longing."

  4. "The taste of his mother's cooking always evokes memories of his childhood."

  5. "The smell of freshly cut grass evokes a sense of summertime and outdoor fun."

  6. "The sound of a baby's laughter evokes feelings of joy and happiness."

  7. "The sight of the mountain range evokes a sense of awe and wonder."

  8. "The taste of her favorite food always evokes memories of her college days."

  9. "The smell of lavender evokes a sense of calm and tranquility."

  10. "The sound of a thunderstorm evokes feelings of excitement and adventure."

Examples of Invoke in a Sentence

Here are 10 example sentences using the word "invoke":

  1. "He invoked his right to remain silent during the police interrogation."

  2. "She invoked the spirit of her ancestors for strength and guidance."

  3. "He invoked the help of his guardian angel to protect him on his journey."

  4. "The council invoked a clause in the contract to cancel the agreement."

  5. "She invoked the memory of her grandmother to help her through a difficult time."

  6. "He invoked the power of the sun to banish the darkness from the room."

  7. "The lawyer invoked the principle of innocent until proven guilty in the courtroom."

  8. "She invoked the protection of the goddess to safeguard her home."

  9. "He invoked the wisdom of the elders to guide his decision-making."

  10. "The teacher invoked the importance of honesty and integrity in her lesson."


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Evoke or Invoke
Evoke or Invoke