involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 
-ˌte-rē
Examples of involuntary in a Sentence
Breathing and circulation are involuntary processes.
When the door burst open, she let out an involuntary shriek.
The lawyer argued that the client's confession was involuntary.
Recent Examples on the Web
At Gwanghwamun and City Hall Station, people watching the same screen naturally became aware of one another and started exchanging reactions—glances, cheers, the small involuntary responses that turn a crowd into a social body.
—
Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
The story begins with the Nakba, the involuntary expulsion of Palestinians from their land by the British government and Zionist militias.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
In 2017, the department reported 880 mental health calls that resulted in someone being taken to involuntary treatment.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
People in a persistent vegetative state retain some brain stem functions that regulate involuntary bodily activities, such as heart rate, blood pressure and digestion, but cannot live without continuous care and treatment.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
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Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
The story begins with the Nakba, the involuntary expulsion of Palestinians from their land by the British government and Zionist militias.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
In 2017, the department reported 880 mental health calls that resulted in someone being taken to involuntary treatment.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
People in a persistent vegetative state retain some brain stem functions that regulate involuntary bodily activities, such as heart rate, blood pressure and digestion, but cannot live without continuous care and treatment.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
1
: not made or done willingly or from choice : unwilling
2
: being enforced or required : mandatory
3
: not normally under the control of the will
an involuntary response to a stimulus
Medical Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
: not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntary contractions
Legal Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē
: done, made, or initiated contrary to or without one's choice
an involuntary confession
an involuntary lien
an involuntary plaintiff joined in the action
involuntarily
adverb
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