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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Miralot is also helping film students to better grasp the complexities of the international festival circuit, says Steve Reverand, co-director of the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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The complexity of your record-keeping Depending on your record keeping and business model, digital alternatives to adding machines may better suit your needs.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involution. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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