Convoluting

To convolute means to make something, typically a process, argument, or system, exceedingly complex and difficult to understand. It involves twisting, winding, or folding something upon itself, often creating layers of intricacy that obscure the core meaning or function. This complexity can be deliberate, aiming to confuse or obfuscate, or unintentional, arising from poor planning, mismanagement, or a lack of clarity. The act of convoluting can apply to physical objects (like the intricate folds of brain matter) or abstract concepts (like legal jargon). It implies a departure from simplicity and a deliberate addition of complicating factors, making the subject harder to navigate or decipher. Often, the outcome is a situation where the original objective is lost or overshadowed by the convoluted complexity.

Convoluting meaning with examples

• The new software update, instead of simplifying the user experience, seemed to be deliberately convoluting the navigation, requiring multiple unnecessary steps to perform basic tasks. Its overly complex interface and poorly designed menu structure baffled many users, frustrating them with its unintuitive design. The goal of ease of use was totally overlooked, and the end result was a software nightmare.
• The politician, known for their evasiveness, began convoluting their answers during the interview, using vague language and technical jargon to avoid addressing the core issues. By intentionally making their responses opaque and difficult to follow, they successfully deflected questions and avoided committing to any specific stance, leaving the audience confused and perplexed.
• The regulations surrounding the new environmental initiative were so convoluted that small businesses struggled to comply, creating a significant barrier to entry. The numerous exceptions, requirements, and conflicting guidelines created confusion and made it nearly impossible for many companies to understand how to participate or even meet basic legal requirements, killing a chance for improvement.
• The plot of the novel became increasingly convoluted as the author introduced new characters and subplots, each adding layers of complexity to the already intricate narrative. This made it challenging for the reader to follow the story's thread, which required the readers to reread portions, making it tiresome to complete. While there were some benefits of this process, many readers found the story unenjoyable to follow.
• The legal proceedings were significantly delayed due to the lawyer's strategy of convoluting the evidence, introducing irrelevant documents and procedural loopholes to bog down the opposing counsel. By generating an immense amount of unnecessary paperwork and raising countless technical objections, they hoped to overwhelm their opponents and wear them down with a tedious ordeal and eventually win the case.