1
as in accidental
not made or done willingly or by choice
my long stays on the sidelines during our football games were strictly involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
breathing is involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
These mass arrests in Pittsburgh are just one example of the way Black people were targeted and forced into involuntary labor for decades in America.
—
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
That means even prior to the shutdown, roughly 60,000 federal workers faced involuntary separation, according to Kupor's estimates.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Selecting a show may result in the involuntary viewing of multiple, in-line trailers.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Since the state resumed executions last year following an involuntary 13-year pause due to trouble obtaining lethal injection drugs, four inmates have selected lethal injection and two have died by firing squad.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
That means even prior to the shutdown, roughly 60,000 federal workers faced involuntary separation, according to Kupor's estimates.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Selecting a show may result in the involuntary viewing of multiple, in-line trailers.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Since the state resumed executions last year following an involuntary 13-year pause due to trouble obtaining lethal injection drugs, four inmates have selected lethal injection and two have died by firing squad.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Sources of inspiration include the work of Ari Aster and Yorgos Lanthimos as well as films such as The Babadook and Nicolas Roeg’s 1973 drama Don’t Look Now, starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland as a couple who travel to Venice following the accidental death of their daughter.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In 2006, Cheney’s accidental shooting of a fellow hunter in Texas became an odd, symbolic flashpoint in a career marked by control and controversy.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The battle for the Group of 5 automatic bid is wide open in Week 11.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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Say, for example, that a restaurant’s menu states that an automatic 18% charge will be added to all bills for parties of six or more customers.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Being a quick study is an invaluable knack in repertory theatre, which is where Hopkins, with a two-year interlude for compulsory military service, kicked off his career.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Under state compulsory-attendance laws, children are required to attend school regularly—typically from ages 6 to 16—and districts are required to track every absence.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While spontaneous mentions of high prices increased for a fifth month, inflation expectations eased over the longer term.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This could look like spontaneous travel plans, shifting your career focus or even a spiritual awakening.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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Analysts also point out that the global supply of key components such as DRAM chips for consumer electronics, NAND flash chips for SSDs, and mechanical hard drives has all been constrained by the voracious demand from AI data centers.—
,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Shouts for it will be met by angry fingers jutted towards the various gaffes played ad nauseam on Sky Sports’ weekly Ref Watch, or the mandatory pause before the emotional unleashing as VAR mulls over whether a goal is a goal or just a hoax.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The government had been unable - or unwilling - to fix it.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
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In the rare case where someone is unwilling to seek help and a danger to themselves or others, the law enforcement officer is authorized to take someone to the hospital to be assessed against their will.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But largely absent from the show was a pain management disorder – reflex neurovascular dystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome – that Sioux has dealt with for much of her life.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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In each case, there's a recognition that some players might want to explore a game's world—to experience the characters, art, and dialogue that the developers worked so hard to craft—without struggling through mechanical reflex tests or grindy, repetitive challenges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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