invoke
To cite or appeal to something as authority or justification
Examples
In a meeting
“She invoked company policy to support her decision”
Over coffee
“Don't invoke my name when you're trying to get out of trouble”
Why this word
cite
cite means reference; invoke means calling upon authority or power with expectation of effect
mention
mention is casual reference; invoke suggests formal summoning of authority, precedent, or power
use
use is general application; invoke specifically means calling upon something as justification or aid
Usage tip
Use when formally calling upon rules, authority, or precedent to support an argument
Etymology
Latin 'invocare' from 'in-' (upon) + 'vocare' (to call)
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Related words
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or decided.
convey
To communicate or make an idea, feeling, or meaning known.
reiterate
To say something again for emphasis or clarity.
paraphrase
To restate something in different words to make it clearer or shorter.