involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 
-ˌte-rē
Synonyms
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
The Baker Act, a state law passed in 1971, allows for involuntary psychiatric examination for up to 72 hours.
—
Caroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2024
Those are usually viewed as involuntary retirements.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 July 2024
Will hospital emergency rooms be further strained if communities respond by using involuntary hospitalization to remove mentally ill homeless individuals from streets?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2024
In July, developmental neuroscientist Diane O’Dowd, then the university’s vice provost for academic personnel, placed Blumberg on involuntary leave with pay, an interim measure that can be taken while discipline is being determined.
—Meredith Wadman, science.org, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary 
Caroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2024
Those are usually viewed as involuntary retirements.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 July 2024
Will hospital emergency rooms be further strained if communities respond by using involuntary hospitalization to remove mentally ill homeless individuals from streets?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2024
In July, developmental neuroscientist Diane O’Dowd, then the university’s vice provost for academic personnel, placed Blumberg on involuntary leave with pay, an interim measure that can be taken while discipline is being determined.
—Meredith Wadman, science.org, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'involuntary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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