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
Most were an involuntary removal and include providers such as Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and Frankfort Independent Schools in Frankfort, among dozens of others.
—
Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Dec. 2025
The state has also expanded its definition of grave disability, a condition that can lead to involuntary treatment if a person cannot meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter and personal safety.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
What To Know While 8 million borrowers were enrolled in SAVE, they were put in involuntary forbearance for 15 months because of the ongoing litigation.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
This is a part of the nervous system that controls heart rate and other involuntary body functions.
—Craig O. Weber, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
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Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Dec. 2025
The state has also expanded its definition of grave disability, a condition that can lead to involuntary treatment if a person cannot meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter and personal safety.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
What To Know While 8 million borrowers were enrolled in SAVE, they were put in involuntary forbearance for 15 months because of the ongoing litigation.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
This is a part of the nervous system that controls heart rate and other involuntary body functions.
—Craig O. Weber, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.
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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