invoke fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"invoke fear" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to an attempt to create a feeling of fear or dread in someone or something. For example, "The cleverly designed horror movie poster was designed to invoke fear in its viewers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"Red to recall the devil, black to invoke fear".

The Guardian - Sport

You don't have to invoke fear of the Kenyan Islamic atheist socialist or whatever.

The New York Times

He told the Guardian: "It was intended to invoke fear and alarm.

The Guardian

The K.K.K. and the swastika, to name but a few, invoke fear and revulsion among millions.

The New York Times

If there is fear you invoke fear, if you are a party person you are invited to parties.

The Guardian - Film

To win over the Bernie brigades, Clinton has to do better than invoke fear of whoever the Republican nominee is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Why invoke fears that a keenly anticipated sporting event might be spoiled?

The Guardian - Opinion

Sceptics doubt the effectiveness of DNA matching, and invoke fears of false matches and planted samples.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most analysts do not see a security threat, noting that the Chinese are not building bases or forging any military ties that could invoke fears of another Cuban missile crisis.

The New York Times

I recently wrote about the embattled millennial generation, whose members overwhelmingly do not believe that we will receive the Social Security benefits that we are paying for, and for whom conversations about having children commonly invoke fears of climate destruction and violent nationalism and nuclear war.

The New Yorker

Perhaps, once invoked, fear of a place, a person or thing never goes away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "invoke fear" when you want to emphasize the deliberate attempt to create a feeling of fear or dread in someone. It suggests a calculated action rather than a spontaneous reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "invoke fear" in informal or casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "frighten" or "scare" may be more appropriate in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invoke fear" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "invoke" is the verb indicating the action of causing or summoning, and "fear" is the noun representing the object or feeling being evoked. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "invoke fear" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of deliberately creating or causing fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used in news, media, and scientific contexts. While effective in formal settings, simpler alternatives might be better suited for casual conversation. The phrase suggests a calculated effort to instill fear, distinguishing it from simply "causing fear". Related phrases include "instill fear" and "arouse fear", each with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instill fear

Replaces "invoke" with "instill", focusing on the act of implanting fear.

arouse fear

Substitutes "invoke" with "arouse", emphasizing the stirring up of fear.

generate fear

Replaces "invoke" with "generate", highlighting the creation of fear.

provoke fear

Substitutes "invoke" with "provoke", focusing on triggering fear.

create a sense of fear

Rephrases the entire phrase to emphasize the creation of a feeling of fear.

cause fear

Uses a more direct and simpler way of expressing the creation of fear.

frighten

A single-word alternative expressing the act of making someone afraid.

intimidate

Highlights the use of fear to control or influence someone.

terrorize

Focuses on instilling extreme fear or terror.

spark fear

Similar to 'arouse', it describes initiating fear.

FAQs

How can I use "invoke fear" in a sentence?

You can use "invoke fear" to describe an action that causes someone to feel fear, for example: "The dictator used propaganda to "invoke fear" in the population".

What are some alternatives to "invoke fear"?

Alternatives include "instill fear", "arouse fear", or "generate fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "invoke fear" formal or informal?

"Invoke fear" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression. Simpler words like "scare" are more appropriate for informal settings.

What's the difference between "invoke fear" and "cause fear"?

"Invoke fear" suggests a deliberate or calculated attempt to create fear, while "cause fear" is a more general term that simply indicates that fear was produced as a result of some action. For instance, a horror film may "invoke fear", while a sudden loud noise might "cause fear".