evocative

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈvä-kə-tiv 

: evoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response

settings … so evocative that they bring tears to the eyes

—Eric Malpass

evocatively adverb

evocativeness noun

Synonyms

• reminiscent
• suggestive

Examples of evocative in a Sentence

He wrote a powerful and evocative biography.

the Italian-American restaurant is decorated in a manner evocative of the charming outdoor cafés in Italy

Recent Examples on the Web

Part documentary, part autobiography, part disco, this production is an evocative and personal journey conceived by long-time collaborators Hecht and Beber. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025

Thanks to depictions in popular culture, coverage from journalists, and studies by academics, the revolt has become one of the most evocative and widely discussed incidents in U.S. history. —V.n. Trinh / Made By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025

Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection So many of Woody Allen’s films capture New York City at its most evocative, romantic, and madcap—Crimes and Misdemeanors, Hannah and Her Sisters, and, of course, Annie Hall among them. —Vogue, 25 Jan. 2025

Likewise, there’s a quiet, insular quality to the direction, by Naoko Yamada, that is at times beautifully evocative — especially when focused on the central characters’ facial expressions — but at other times can veer toward the prosaic. —Maya Phillips, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

evocative

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈväk-ət-iv 

: having the power to evoke an especially emotional response

an evocative photograph