as in complexity
the state or quality of having many interrelated parts or aspects
the involution of the thriller's plot made it hard to follow
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Recent Examples of involution
The downside, Xie says, is that productivity-enhancing technology is deflationary — doubly so in China where any sector prioritized by the state is fated toward involution.
—
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026
After delivery, uterus involution occurs—in other words, the uterus shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size.
—Jana Pollack, Parents, 2 Dec. 2025
The research explains that the breast remodels itself to prepare for nursing — and then when nursing is over, remodels itself again through a process called involution.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The campaign against involution and overcapacity, initially targeting automobiles, steel, cement, solar, and E-Commerce, is also part of this regulatory context.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
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In an annual government work report delivered in March, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for efforts to halt involution, echoing a directive from a high-level Politburo meeting in July last year.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Firms and factories race to produce the same products and barely make any profit—a phenomenon known in China as nei juan, or involution.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2024
Reviewers began to accuse her of involution, pretension, and self-entrancement.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2023
In a challenging economic environment, AI has become less about revolution and more about involution, and many startups are using it to make small efficiency improvements, hoping to gain enough of an edge to stay competitive.
—Lavender Au, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026
After delivery, uterus involution occurs—in other words, the uterus shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size.
—Jana Pollack, Parents, 2 Dec. 2025
The research explains that the breast remodels itself to prepare for nursing — and then when nursing is over, remodels itself again through a process called involution.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The campaign against involution and overcapacity, initially targeting automobiles, steel, cement, solar, and E-Commerce, is also part of this regulatory context.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Weekly analysis and insights from Asia’s largest economy in your inbox
Subscribe now
In an annual government work report delivered in March, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for efforts to halt involution, echoing a directive from a high-level Politburo meeting in July last year.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Firms and factories race to produce the same products and barely make any profit—a phenomenon known in China as nei juan, or involution.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2024
Reviewers began to accuse her of involution, pretension, and self-entrancement.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2023
In a challenging economic environment, AI has become less about revolution and more about involution, and many startups are using it to make small efficiency improvements, hoping to gain enough of an edge to stay competitive.
—Lavender Au, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involution
complexity
Noun
-
These boosters add weight, complexity, and cost.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Texworld responds to this complexity by organizing geography, sustainability, innovation and production capabilities into a single, navigable marketplace.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involution. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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