involve

Definition of involvenext
1
as in to affect
to be the business or affair of this isn't something that involves you, so don't worry about it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb involve contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of involve are comprehend, embrace, and include. While all these words mean "to contain within as part of the whole," involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence.

the new job involves a lot of detail

When can comprehend be used instead of involve?

The synonyms comprehend and involve are sometimes interchangeable, but comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition.

his system comprehends all history

When would embrace be a good substitute for involve?

The words embrace and involve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole.

her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs

When might include be a better fit than involve?

The meanings of include and involve largely overlap; however, include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.

the price of dinner includes dessert

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 involve Pettijohn missed the spring due to an injury but figures to be involved, as do TJ Alford, Eli Lee, Garrett Stover and others. Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 6 May 2026 At Two Asian Matchmakers, this involves personally vetting candidates, conducting one-on-one interviews, and coordinating introductions only after mutual interest is established. Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 Instead of having people dip into their 401K to watch Colombia play Portugal, this tour involves a $401 flight to Cartagena the day before the game and a return three nights later, as Google flights priced it. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026 One key step involved refining how the system identifies which parts of a molecule need detailed quantum treatment, reducing the overall computational cost. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for involve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involve
Verb
  • With a global El Niño weather pattern, the MPCA predicts warmer and drier conditions this summer, with the potential for elevated local fire activity and 12 to 16 days affected by wildfire smoke.
    Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
  • Like much of California, this district has been affected by the effects of climate change.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Trump’s second term has proved so radical that officials from his first Administration—including a former chief of staff and a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—have referred to him as a fascist.
    Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Paterakis said the driver's injuries included glass in his arm and hand.
    Jay Blackman, NBC news, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The fact that both CBS News and CNN will be under the new corporate roof, however, makes the involvement of Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf interests a sensitive point.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There’s something easy about sweet that doesn’t interest me.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Kay wraps her voice around propulsive rock arrangements on one, while another leans into flamenco pop.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Kristen Wile of Unpretentious Palate kindly offered me a bite of her toothsome barbacoa entree, wrapped in a collard leaf and served with mayocoba (a creamy, yellow-green canary bean) and a red and green salsa duo.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There’s a lot to be concerned about.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The king’s visit with a deeply divisive American president, who himself has been compared to a monarch, threatens to further divide Americans concerning the British royals.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.
    R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Nonetheless, Israel has continued to strike deep within Lebanon, and its army occupies much of the country’s south.
    Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
  • More commonly, prescribed burning is halted because Forest Service staff are occupied fighting wildfires.
    Lauren Sommer, NPR, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Keep your hands free and available to carry other essentials with this genius pet backpack that's secure, enclosed and sure to keep your pets feeling safe—even in times of crisis.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 1 May 2026
  • Archaeologists found that the site’s foragers had crafted small huts from brushwood, weaving them into dome-like structures enclosing a central hearth.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Involve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involve. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on involve

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster