involved

American  

[in-volvd] / ɪnˈvɒlvd /

adjective

1. very intricate or complex.

   an involved reply.

   Synonyms:

   tangled, knotty, complicated

   Antonyms:

   simple

2. implicated.

   involved in crime.

3. concerned in some affair, especially in a way likely to cause danger or unpleasantness.

   I didn't call the police because I didn't want to get involved.

4. committed or engaged, as in a political cause or artistic movement.

   The civil rights demonstration attracted the involved young people of the area.

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involved British  

/ ɪnˈvɒlvd /

adjective

1. complicated; difficult to comprehend

   an involved literary style

2. (usually postpositive) concerned or implicated

   one of the men involved

3. euphemistic having sexual relations

   she was involved with a number of men

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Other Word Forms

• involvedly adverb
• involvedness noun
• noninvolved adjective
• uninvolved adjective

Etymology

Origin of involved

First recorded in 1600–10; involve + -ed ²

Example Sentences

It’s one thing to revel in a public figure’s self-inflicted unraveling, but when kids are involved, the role of the spectator becomes more complex.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The 12-team top flight divides into two sections of six after this coming weekend's 33rd set of fixtures, with Rangers the other side involved in a three-team race for the title.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

It involved the snail darter, a tiny, then-endangered fish whose habitat would have been harmed by the proposed Tellico Dam in Tennessee.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

Police said that there was "no evidence" to suggest Everest guides were involved in the scam.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“There were lots of babies. And if I was listed as a witness and you were listed as survivors—that’s the only thing I’ve ever witnessed where government agents got involved like that.”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• affected
• concerned
• embroiled
• entangled
• interested
• participating