invoke

invoke — verb

1. to refer to a law, rule, or official agreement as the basis for taking a particu

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to refer to a law, rule, or official agreement as the basis for taking a particular action or for supporting a claim or argument

例句

The lawyer invoked a clause in the contract to free her client from the deal.

invoke + (law/clause/contract) in legal contexts

During the debate, Ilan invoked an article of the constitution to support his argument.

同義詞
  • cite

    more neutral; 'cite' simply mentions a source without the legal weight that 'invoke' carries

  • appeal to

    less formal; 'appeal to' suggests asking someone to accept the authority, whereas 'invoke' assumes the authority directly

  • refer to

    broader and more neutral; 'refer to' can be used in any register, while 'invoke' is distinctly formal

反義詞
  • ignore

    to deliberately not use a relevant law or rule

  • disregard

    to set aside or pay no attention to a rule that could be invoked

文法句型

invoke + (law/rule/clause/principle) as authority

用法筆記

Frequently used in legal, political, and formal contexts. The object is typically an abstract noun referring to a rule, law, clause, principle, or precedent.

常見錯誤

❌I invoked the school rules to ask the teacher a question.
✅I referred to the school rules to ask the teacher a question.
💡'invoke' sounds too formal for everyday school situations; use 'refer to' or 'mention' instead.
❌The manager invoked the company policy to fire the employee.
✅The manager applied the company policy to dismiss the employee.
💡'invoke' implies citing as authority for an action; 'apply' is more natural when actually enforcing a policy.

2. to ask a god, spirit, or higher power for help, protection, or guidance, especia

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to ask a god, spirit, or higher power for help, protection, or guidance, especially in difficult times

例句

The elders invoked the rain god during the ceremony, hoping the dry spell would end.

invoke + (god/deity) in a ritual context

Before the long journey, the travellers invoked their ancestors for protection.

同義詞
  • pray to

    more common in everyday religious language; 'pray to' is less formal than 'invoke'

  • call upon

    similar formality but broader; 'call upon' can also mean asking ordinary people for help

  • beseech

    more intense and emotional; 'beseech' means to beg urgently, while 'invoke' is more about formally calling for aid

反義詞
  • ignore

    to pay no attention to a deity or spiritual power

  • renounce

    to formally give up or reject a spiritual connection

文法句型

invoke + (god/spirit/deity) for help or protection

用法筆記

Common in religious, spiritual, or ceremonial contexts. Subject is often a priest, elder, or worshipper; the object is a god, spirit, or supernatural entity.

常見錯誤

❌She invoked her mother for help with the homework.
✅She asked her mother for help with the homework.
💡'invoke' is only used for supernatural or higher powers, not for ordinary people.

3. to bring a particular emotion, image, or memory into someone's mind, especially

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to bring a particular emotion, image, or memory into someone's mind, especially through words, art, or a sensory experience

例句

The old photographs invoked warm memories of summer holidays for Amelia and her brother.

invoke + (memory/feeling) — formal/literary use

A familiar smell can invoke a strong feeling tied to a place from your past.

同義詞
  • evoke

    more common and less formal; 'evoke' is the everyday word for bringing feelings or memories to mind

  • conjure up

    more vivid and slightly informal; 'conjure up' suggests a stronger, more imaginative mental image

  • stir up

    informal and often implies causing strong, sometimes negative emotions

反義詞
  • suppress

    to prevent a feeling or memory from arising

  • stifle

    to hold back or stop an emotion from being expressed

文法句型

invoke + (feeling/memory/image) in someone

用法筆記

Distinguish from 'evoke', which is more common in everyday English for feelings and memories. 'Invoke' carries a stronger sense of deliberate intent and is distinctly more formal.

常見錯誤

❌The song invoked sad feelings in me.
✅The song evoked sad feelings in me.
💡'evoke' is the natural choice for emotions and memories; 'invoke' sounds overly formal and suggests intentional summoning.

4. to call a spirit, demon, or magical force into existence by speaking special wor

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

to call a spirit, demon, or magical force into existence by speaking special words or performing a ritual

例句

The wizard invoked a powerful spell to protect the village from the dragon.

invoke + (spell/magic) in fantasy contexts

The witch invoked the spirit of the old tree to ask for its wisdom.

同義詞
  • conjure

    more specific to magic; 'conjure' strongly implies a magical act, while 'invoke' can also be religious or formal

  • summon

    broader; 'summon' can be used for calling any being or force, magical or not

  • call forth

    more literary and descriptive; 'call forth' emphasises the act of bringing something into appearance

反義詞
  • banish

    to send away or drive out a spirit or magical force

  • dismiss

    to send away a summoned being, ending its presence

文法句型

invoke + (spell/spirit/demon) through words or ritual

用法筆記

Typically found in fantasy literature, mythology, and descriptions of rituals. Often used alongside words like 'spell', 'demon', 'spirit', or 'magic'.

常見錯誤

❌He invoked the pizza delivery by calling the restaurant.
✅He ordered a pizza by calling the restaurant.
💡'invoke' is not used for ordinary requests; use 'call' or 'order'.