highly convoluted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly convoluted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely complex or intricate, often to the point of being difficult to understand. Example: "The plot of the movie was highly convoluted, making it hard for viewers to follow the storyline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fatty acid labeling determinations are sometimes highly convoluted.

Phytochemistry

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly convoluted, netlike meshwork that extends throughout the cytoplasm.

Plant Cell Biology From Astronomy to Zoology

Second, the support vectors, which make the hypersurface highly convoluted, are excluded from the training set.

Pattern Recognition

Instead, their skin produces a thin, flexible cuticle that is highly convoluted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The highly convoluted cerebral cortex is characterized by two different topographic structures: convex gyri and concave sulci.

Brain Research

The highly convoluted movements observed during summer and winter suggest foraging or searching efforts in localized areas.

Zoology

Additionally, the formation of highly convoluted flame front elements is enforced by the increasing flame instability behavior.

Combustion and Flame

The Flaming Lips offered a highly convoluted inside joke: stately songs that look back to orchestral psychedelic pop, in a production that was simultaneously grandiose and silly.

The New York Times - Arts

Untwisting leaves filaments that are still highly convoluted, allowing the production of a textured yarn of much greater volume than the yarn would be in an untextured state.

Britannica

With their complex inner architecture featuring a smooth outer and a highly convoluted inner membrane, they are challenging objects for microscopy.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

Establishing an interaction between a pair of molecules involves mutual structural rearrangements guided by a highly convoluted energy landscape, the accurate mapping of which continues to elude us.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or systems, use "highly convoluted" to emphasize their complexity and potential difficulty in comprehension. For example, "The tax law is highly convoluted and requires expert interpretation."

Common error

Don't use "highly convoluted" to describe something that is simply complex but not excessively so. Reserve it for situations where the complexity is a defining feature, bordering on confusing or impenetrable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly convoluted" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a high degree of complexity and intricacy. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to depict something that is not only complex but also difficult to understand because of its tangled or complicated nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

Encyclopedias

17%

News & Media

13%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly convoluted" is a descriptive phrase used to emphasize the extreme complexity and intricacy of something, often to the point of being difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various reputable sources. While versatile, it's most appropriate in formal and scientific contexts where precision is key. Avoid using it in simpler situations where the complexity isn't a defining characteristic. Common synonyms include "extremely complicated", "very intricate" and "exceedingly complex".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely complicated

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty in understanding due to complexity.

very intricate

Focuses on the detailed and complex nature of something.

exceedingly complex

Highlights the extreme level of complexity involved.

incredibly labyrinthine

Suggests a structure or system that is like a maze, very confusing and difficult to navigate.

unduly complicated

Implies that the complexity is excessive or unnecessary.

overly intricate

Similar to unduly complicated, but focusing on the excessive detail.

remarkably complex

Indicates that the complexity is noteworthy or unusual.

densely interwoven

Describes a situation where elements are tightly connected and difficult to separate.

elaborately detailed

Focuses on the high level of detail and care in the construction or design.

excessively elaborate

Highlights that the level of detail is beyond what is necessary or practical.

FAQs

What does "highly convoluted" mean?

The phrase "highly convoluted" describes something extremely complex, intricate, and often difficult to understand due to its complicated nature.

What are some synonyms for "highly convoluted"?

Alternatives to "highly convoluted" include "extremely complicated", "very intricate", or "exceedingly complex", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "highly convoluted" in a sentence?

You might say, "The plot of the novel was so highly convoluted that it was difficult to follow", or "The endoplasmic reticulum is a highly convoluted, netlike meshwork that extends throughout the cytoplasm."

Is it ever incorrect to use "highly convoluted"?

While grammatically correct, using "highly convoluted" might be inappropriate if the subject is only mildly complex. Consider a simpler term if the intricacy isn't a defining feature. Make sure the complexity requires a deeper understanding.