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
This can reduce the strain on the electric grid and help prevent the need for involuntary power curtailment or power brownouts, Holran notes.
—
Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
The siblings go through old pictures, watch old Super 8 footage and even read to each other from surprisingly graphic letters between their parents, expressing involuntary waves of horror and pride at how horny Jerry and Anne were for each other.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Doctors can offer patients medications to treat their symptoms, such as reducing chorea (involuntary, unpredictable muscle movements) and depression.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
Trump released an executive order in July encouraging states to expand involuntary commitment laws — a legal process forcing people considered a danger to themselves or others into inpatient psychiatric care.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
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Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
The siblings go through old pictures, watch old Super 8 footage and even read to each other from surprisingly graphic letters between their parents, expressing involuntary waves of horror and pride at how horny Jerry and Anne were for each other.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Doctors can offer patients medications to treat their symptoms, such as reducing chorea (involuntary, unpredictable muscle movements) and depression.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
Trump released an executive order in July encouraging states to expand involuntary commitment laws — a legal process forcing people considered a danger to themselves or others into inpatient psychiatric care.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 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 10 Oct. 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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