involute

adjective

ˈin-və-ˌlüt How to pronounce involute (audio)
Definition of involutenext
1
as in complicate
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated the novel's deliberately involute plot is intended as a brainteaser for readers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spiral
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw the chambered nautilus is readily identified by its involute seashell

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of involute Lucid has patented the involute profile of the gear teeth within its transmission, optimized for performance and efficiency to transmit maximum torque under power while spinning with the least resistance otherwise. — IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involute
  1. complicate
  2. spiral
  3. intricate
  4. winding
  5. complicated
  6. complex
  7. sophisticated
Adjective
  • The company very deliberately targets large enterprise customers, which have the biggest and most complicate supply chain ecosystems.
    — David Prosser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Wilcox noted that overlaps between substance use and suicide complicate reduction efforts.
    — Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
Definition of complicate
Adjective
  • Watching the models spiral down the staircase of what was once home to Barney's New York made each look feel even more thrilling.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
  • At the start of this school year, Aya’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Naheda, asked for a spiral notebook.
    — Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of spiral
Adjective
  • Many of the things that make reactors so difficult to operate—intricate regulations, along with complex systems for management and maintenance—are exactly the kinds of tasks that AI is good at.
    — Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Mungiu may have a less sadistic streak and a more active camera, but the two filmmakers share a particular commitment to narrative indeterminacy, devising intricate yet incomplete crime-story plots that function broadly as sociopolitical allegories.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of intricate
Adjective
  • Every floor and room is dedicated to specific watch brands and timepieces, featuring bespoke details like watch-hand door handles and winding-crown faucet handles, all crafted by Florentine artisans.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 May 2026
Definition of winding
Adjective
  • International funding, Patil says, means long waits, complicated contracts and co-production treaties, and Indian filmmakers end up chasing the same grants as professionals from wealthier countries.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Birmingham Industrious, unassuming Birmingham has overcome an at-times fraught and complicated past to develop food, music, and cultural scenes that show the world why it's called the Magic City.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of complicated
Adjective
  • Instead of responding with just text, ChatGPT will now add graphics, tappable buttons, forms, charts, and interactive tools to make complex topics easier to understand.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The concern is that social media can turn simple skincare practices into trendy and complex routines that may not work safely for everyone.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of complex
Adjective
  • Corduroy’s dusty reputation still lingers, but the material itself has become more supple, richer, and far more sophisticated in recent years.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Within premium products, there is a focus on longevity attributes in skin care and elegant, sophisticated makeup products among mature middle-class consumers.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of sophisticated

Browse Nearby Words

involuntary
involute
involuted
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Cite this Entry

“Involute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involute. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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