invoke
gb/ɪnvˈoʊk/ us/ɪnvˈoʊk/
B2
English
~ 5400
hivatkozik, életbe léptet, él, segítségül hív, fohászkodik, felidéz, kelt, meghív, kiad
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
hivatkozik
B2
Usage pattern:
invoke [law/rule/principle/right] to [do something]
The minister invoked the constitution to defend the new policy.
A miniszter az alkotmányra hivatkozott az új politika védelmében.
In his argument, he invoked international law to criticize the invasion.
Érvelésében a nemzetközi jogra hivatkozva bírálta az inváziót.
The company invoked a confidentiality clause to avoid releasing the documents.
She invoked her right to remain silent during the questioning.
The judge invoked a long‑standing legal principle to explain the decision.
Learner examples
The lawyer invoked the law to protect his client.
Az ügyvéd a törvényre hivatkozott, hogy megvédje az ügyfelét.
The student invoked a famous theory to support her answer.
A diák egy híres elméletre hivatkozott, hogy alátámassza a válaszát.
She invoked her right to stay quiet in court.
They invoked a safety rule to stop the project.
The manager invoked company policy to explain his choice.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "invoke" with "evoke". "Invoke a law/right" means to mention and use it as support, while "evoke a feeling" means to cause a feeling. Do not say *"invoke a feeling"* when you mean "evoke a feeling" in careful formal writing, even though this mistake appears in real use.
Meaning
mention a rule or authority
Collocations
invoke the law
|invoke a principle
|invoke a right
|invoke precedent
|invoke his name
|invoke authority
Synonyms
cite (Focuses on quoting or referring to something, especially in writing or speech, without the strong sense of using it as a formal justification.)
|
appeal to (Stresses asking for support from a rule, idea, or authority, often in a persuasive or emotional way, and is less formal than "invoke".)
Antonyms
ignore (To act without paying attention to laws, rules, or principles, instead of explicitly using them as support.)
|
disregard (To decide that a rule or principle does not matter, which contrasts with using it to justify an action.)
Themes
law
|politics
|business
|academia
|communication
Definition
To talk about a law, rule, right, or important idea to show that what you do or say is correct.
To mention or refer to a law, rule, principle, right, or name as a reason, justification, or support for an action, decision, or argument.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
él
B2
Usage pattern:
invoke [law/rule/clause/powers]
The president invoked emergency powers to deal with the crisis.
Az elnök rendkívüli jogköreivel élt a válság kezelésére.
The government threatened to invoke the security clause if negotiations failed.
A kormány azzal fenyegetőzött, hogy ha a tárgyalások kudarcot vallanak, életbe lépteti a biztonsági záradékot.
They invoked Article 50 to begin the process of leaving the union.
Under the contract, the company can invoke this provision in cases of fraud.
The prime minister refused to invoke wartime laws despite public pressure.
Learner examples
The government invoked a special law after the attack.
A kormány a támadás után életbe léptetett egy különleges törvényt.
The president invoked emergency powers during the flood.
Az elnök az árvíz idején rendkívüli jogköreivel élt.
The company invoked a rule in the contract to end the deal.
The union asked the court to invoke this clause to protect workers.
The city invoked disaster rules to get more help.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only "use" instead of "invoke" in legal or official contexts. While "use" is understandable, "invoke" is preferred when a specific law, clause, or power is formally brought into operation. Also, do not say *"invoke a rule on someone"*; say "invoke a rule" or "invoke a rule against someone".
Meaning
put a law or power into use
Collocations
invoke emergency powers
|invoke a clause
|invoke Article 50
|invoke a treaty
|invoke special measures
|invoke wartime laws
Synonyms
activate (A general word for making something start working; less formal and less specifically legal than "invoke".)
|
trigger (Stresses causing something to happen or start, often suddenly; in law or contracts it is close in meaning to "invoke".)
Antonyms
suspend (To temporarily stop a law or rule from operating, which is the opposite of putting it into effect.)
|
repeal (To officially end a law so it no longer exists, contrasting with making it start to operate.)
Themes
law
|politics
|government
Definition
To officially start using a law, rule, or special power so that it has effect.
To cause a law, rule, clause, right, or special power to begin to operate or be applied, especially in official or emergency situations.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
fohászkodik
C1
Usage pattern:
invoke [deity/spirit] for [help/blessing]
The priest invoked the Holy Spirit at the start of the ceremony.
A pap a szertartás kezdetén segítségül hívta a Szentlelket.
Villagers gathered at the shrine to invoke the goddess of fertility.
A falubeliek összegyűltek a szentélynél, hogy segítségül hívják a termékenység istennőjét.
He quietly invoked his ancestors before making the difficult decision.
The ritual was performed to invoke protection for the sailors.
The poem describes a hero who invokes the gods before battle.
Learner examples
The priest invoked God to bless the children.
A pap Istenhez fohászkodott, hogy áldja meg a gyerekeket.
The people invoked the goddess for rain.
Az emberek esőért fohászkodtak az istennőhöz.
Before the trip, she invoked her ancestors for protection.
In the story, the hero invokes the spirits before the fight.
They invoked a blessing on the new house.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "invoke" is common in everyday religious talk, but it is more formal or literary than "pray". In normal conversation, people usually say "pray to God" rather than "invoke God".
Meaning
call on a god or spirit
Collocations
invoke the gods
|invoke divine protection
|invoke the Holy Spirit
|invoke a blessing
|invoke the ancestors
|invoke the deity
Synonyms
pray to (Everyday religious word for speaking to a god; less formal and ritual‑sounding than "invoke".)
|
call upon (Very close in meaning; slightly broader and can be used outside religious contexts too.)
Antonyms
curse (To call for harm or misfortune instead of help or blessing, which contrasts with invoking a deity for protection.)
|
blaspheme (To speak disrespectfully about a god instead of respectfully calling on that god for help.)
Themes
religion
|culture
Definition
To ask a god or spirit for help or protection, usually in a prayer or ceremony.
To call on a god, spirit, or other supernatural power for help, protection, or inspiration, especially through prayer or ritual.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
invoke [feeling/image/memory] of [something]
The commercial invokes images of a simple, rural life.
A reklám az egyszerű, vidéki élet képeit idézi fel.
The film’s dark lighting invokes a constant sense of unease.
A film sötét fényhasználata állandó nyugtalanságérzetet kelt.
Her speech invoked memories of the country’s difficult past.
The design intentionally invokes nostalgia for old arcade games.
The photograph invokes a powerful feeling of isolation.
Learner examples
The music invokes memories of my childhood.
A zene a gyerekkorom emlékeit idézi fel bennem.
This picture invokes a feeling of peace.
Ez a kép a béke érzését kelti bennem.
The movie invokes fear from the very beginning.
His story invokes images of life many years ago.
The book invokes strong emotions about family.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "invoke" and "evoke" in this sense. In modern careful English, "evoke" is the standard word for causing feelings or images. "Invoke" is used but sounds more formal and can sound incorrect to some readers, so for writing exams or formal texts, "evoke" is usually safer.
Meaning
cause a feeling or image
Collocations
invoke images of
|invoke memories of
|invoke fear
|invoke nostalgia
|invoke a sense of
|invoke the idea of
Synonyms
evoke (The most common verb for causing a feeling or image; very close in meaning, and often preferred in careful writing.)
|
conjure up (More informal phrase for bringing an image or memory to mind, sometimes with a slightly magical or vivid tone.)
Antonyms
suppress (To push down or hold back feelings or memories so they are not experienced, which is the opposite of causing them to arise.)
|
dispel (To drive away or remove a feeling or idea that has appeared, contrasting with making it appear.)
Themes
art
|communication
|emotions
Definition
To make a feeling, picture, or idea appear in someone’s mind.
To cause a particular idea, image, feeling, or memory to be thought of or experienced, especially by using certain words, symbols, or images.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
invoke [function/method/command]
The client application invokes the API to retrieve user data.
A kliensalkalmazás meghívja az API-t a felhasználói adatok lekéréséhez.
When this button is clicked, it invokes a method that saves the form.
Erre a gombra kattintva meghívódik egy metódus, amely elmenti az űrlapot.
The script invokes the backup routine every night at midnight.
Developers must have permission to invoke this administrative command.
The library automatically invokes the callback when the task finishes.
Learner examples
The program invokes this function when you press Enter.
A program ezt a függvényt hívja meg, amikor lenyomod az Entert.
You need to invoke the save command before you exit.
Kilépés előtt ki kell adnod a mentési parancsot.
This code invokes a method that checks your password.
The app invokes the service to get new messages.
The system invokes a script to clean temp files.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"call an invoke"* or *"make invoke a function"*. In programming English, you simply say "invoke a function" or more commonly "call a function". Also, "invoke" usually takes a direct object ("invoke a method"), not a preposition like *"invoke on a method"*.
Meaning
run a function or method
Collocations
invoke a method
|invoke a function
|invoke the API
|invoke the command
|invoke a service
|invoke a procedure
Synonyms
call (The standard programming term for running a function; slightly less formal and more common in everyday developer talk than "invoke".)
|
execute (Technical term that focuses on the computer actually running the code, not just requesting it.)
Antonyms
bypass (To deliberately avoid or skip a function or process instead of running it.)
|
disable (To turn off a function so it cannot be invoked or executed.)
Themes
technology
|computing
Definition
In computer programming, to make a function or command run.
In computing, to cause a particular function, method, procedure, or command to be executed by a program or system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
invoke
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈoʊk/
US/ɪnvˈoʊk/
Syllables & stress
in - voke (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (voke)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: invoke
- 3rd Person Singular: invokes
- Present Participle: invoking
- Past: invoked
Word family
Forms
invokes
verb
invoking
verb
invoked
verb
Core family
invocation
noun
Expressions
invoke a method
1/ɪnvˈoʊk ə mˈɛθəd/
fixed phrase
technical
run a method in code
In programming, to make a method (a kind of function) run.
Examples
- You need to invoke a method on this object to update the data.
- The framework automatically invokes a method when the page loads.
- Developers can invoke a method multiple times with different arguments.
invoke emergency powers
1/ɪnvˈoʊk ɪmˈɚd͡ʒənsi pˈaʊɚz/
fixed phrase
formal
activate special emergency powers
For a government or leader to start using special powers that are only allowed in an emergency.
Examples
- The president invoked emergency powers to send in the army.
- Critics argued that the government had no reason to invoke emergency powers.
- Under the constitution, the prime minister can invoke emergency powers in times of war.
invoke the name of
1/ɪnvˈoʊk ðə nˈeɪm əv/
fixed phrase
formal
appeal to someone’s name as authority
To mention a person’s or organization’s name to give support or power to what you say or do.
Examples
- They invoked the name of the court to demand compliance.
- Politicians often invoke the name of national heroes in their speeches.
- He angrily invoked the name of his lawyer when the police arrived.
invoke the right to
1/ɪnvˈoʊk ðə ɹˈaɪt tə/
fixed phrase
formal
formally claim a legal right
To say in an official or serious way that you are using a legal right you have.
Examples
- The suspect invoked the right to remain silent during the interview.
- Employees can invoke the right to appeal if they feel the decision is unfair.
- He invoked the right to legal counsel before answering any questions.
invoke the spirit of
1/ɪnvˈoʊk ðə spˈɪɹɪt əv/
fixed phrase
formal
call up someone’s example or qualities
To talk about a person or group in a way that reminds people of their ideas, style, or way of doing things.
Examples
- The coach invoked the spirit of past champions to motivate the team.
- The speech invoked the spirit of the civil rights movement.
- Designers invoked the spirit of the 1960s in the new collection.