What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conjure
Example
The magician was able to conjure a rabbit out of his hat. [conjure: verb]
Example
The smell of freshly baked cookies always conjures up memories of my childhood. [conjures: present tense]
invoke
Example
The priest invoked the name of God to bless the newlyweds. [invoke: verb]
Example
The lawyer invoked the Fifth Amendment to protect his client from self-incrimination. [invoked: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Invoke is more commonly used than conjure in everyday language. Invoke is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while conjure is less common and typically associated with magic or imagination.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conjure and invoke?
Invoke is generally considered more formal than conjure. While conjure can have a playful or whimsical tone, invoke is often used in serious or formal contexts, such as legal or religious settings.
