involuntary

in·vol·un·tary

adj \(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē, -ˌte-rē\

Definition of INVOLUNTARY

1

: done contrary to or without choice

2

: compulsory

3

: not subject to control of the will : reflex

— in·vol·un·tari·ly \-ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē, -ˈte-rə-\ adverb

— in·vol·un·tari·ness \-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē-nəs, -ˌte-rē-\ noun

Examples of INVOLUNTARY

1. Breathing and circulation are involuntary processes.
2. When the door burst open, she let out an involuntary shriek.
3. The lawyer argued that the client's confession was involuntary.

Origin of INVOLUNTARY

Middle English involuntari, from Late Latin involuntarius, from Latin in- + voluntarius voluntary

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INVOLUNTARY

Synonyms: coerced, forced, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, will-less

Antonyms: deliberate, freewill, intentional, uncoerced, unforced, voluntary, willful (or wilful), willing

Related Words: accidental, unplanned, unpremeditated; automatic, impulsive, instinctive, spontaneous, unprompted; inadvertent, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting

Near Antonyms: advised, conscious, considered, knowing, planned, premeditated, premeditative, prepense, purposeful; volitional; self-imposed, self-inflicted

see all synonyms and antonyms

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