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
Known as involution or neijuan in China, the intense price wars have spread across industries in recent years, from electric vehicles to solar panels.
—
John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
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
John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involution
complexity
Noun
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In addition, the Cruz-Cantwell bill proposes an agent registry system and a cap on agents’ commissions, an intriguing concept but one with legal complexity.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 May 2026
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These five brands have become the backbone of most non-alcoholic cocktail programs because they’re crafted to mimic the body, heat and complexity of full-proof spirits.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involution. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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