ENGLISH
REFERENCE

invoked

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɪnˈvoʊkt// UK //ɪnvˈəʊkt// in·voked

v. to use a law, a rule, or a famous person's name to support your ideas or actions. You often do this when you need help or want to prove you are right.

v. to appeal to or cite an authority, law, or principle as a justification for an action. Often used in legal or formal contexts to trigger a specific power or right.


SIMPLE

The lawyer invoked a new law to protect her client.

CONTEXTUAL

During the heated debate, the politician invoked the memory of the country's founders to gain public support.

COMPLEX

The president invoked emergency powers to address the crisis, a move that constitutional scholars argued was unprecedented in the nation's history.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically an abstract noun like 'power', 'law', or 'right'.

Pitfall

He invoked to the lawHe invoked the lawInvoke is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'to'.

© 2026 English Reference