involved 1 of 2

involved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of involve
1
as in affected
to be the business or affair of this isn't something that involves you, so don't worry about it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective involved differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of involved are complex, complicated, intricate, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When is it sensible to use complex instead of involved?

In some situations, the words complex and involved are roughly equivalent. However, complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

When is complicated a more appropriate choice than involved?

The synonyms complicated and involved are sometimes interchangeable, but complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

Where would intricate be a reasonable alternative to involved?

While in some cases nearly identical to involved, intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

In what contexts can knotty take the place of involved?

The meanings of knotty and involved largely overlap; however, knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

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 involved
Adjective
The involved parties reached a settlement in 2022. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025 There will be two new coaches, replacing Peyton and Eli Manning, though O’Reilly said the brothers would remain involved in the event in some capacity. Stephen Whyno, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
One of the more unexpected encounters came courtesy of Sinatra himself, who wasn’t thrilled with a press boycott Clooney was involved in. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2025 Since lipid metabolism is involved, diet and cholesterol control might partly influence disease progression in APOE4 carriers, though this remains under investigation. New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for involved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involved
Adjective
  • Their double life soon gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret begins stealing their fans.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In many ways, that has made keeping up with news about King Charles’ illness much more complicated.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The collection includes 3,100 black-and-white images taken in nearly 300 villages, towns, and cities around the country as well as the negatives and detailed data sheets describing construction techniques, materials, and historical context for each building.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Leafs coach Craig Berube did not provide a detailed update on Nylander’s possible injury.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nearly 700,000 state residents who rely on the program could be affected if a funding solution is not found.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The San Diego Police Department’s current participation in numerous joint task forces with the federal government, such as those targeting drug dealers and terrorism, would not be affected.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Other photos in the bunch included a mirror selfie with his hair pushed back courtesy of a headband, his Cloud23 hot sauce on store shelves, Animal-style fries from In-N-Out Burger (plus plenty of ketchup) and more of life’s special little moments.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tommaso di Lampedusa’s novel, which looks at the unification of Italy from the perspective of a 20th-century writer, had a modernity that interested me.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Since his death more than two hundred years ago, Christophe’s tragic story has interested a broad array of playwrights, artists, novelists, and filmmakers across the world.
    Marlene L. Daut September 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Police reportedly located the woman after reviewing a two-second security camera video clip, in which she was allegedly seen on a city sidewalk carrying something that appeared to be wrapped in a bundle and holding it as a person would typically hold a baby.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • But some of its power remains wrapped in mystique.
    Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.
    MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The intricate, musical prowess and creative freedom within the Wood Brothers is apparent on their latest album, Puff of Smoke.
    Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Chef Kwang Uh opened the restaurant’s first iteration in 2015 in Hollywood, serving intricate grain bowls and pastas at low prices for three years.
    Jocelyn Silver, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Involved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involved. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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