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
These circumstances might include voluntary or involuntary job loss, a reduction in hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce and other life events.
—
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
In April 2025, the IRS began implementing a RIF that resulted in involuntary staffing cuts across multiple offices and job categories.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
The conflict between the Wolf's escalated after a June 13 incident in which Kelley was detained by sheriffs in Utah County and placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold under California’s 5150 law, which allows for emergency mental health evaluation.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 19 July 2025
The 16-year-old girl was admitted to the Orlando clinic under Florida’s Baker Act law, which allows for the involuntary hospitalization of individuals deemed at risk of harming themselves or others.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
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Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
In April 2025, the IRS began implementing a RIF that resulted in involuntary staffing cuts across multiple offices and job categories.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
The conflict between the Wolf's escalated after a June 13 incident in which Kelley was detained by sheriffs in Utah County and placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold under California’s 5150 law, which allows for emergency mental health evaluation.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 19 July 2025
The 16-year-old girl was admitted to the Orlando clinic under Florida’s Baker Act law, which allows for the involuntary hospitalization of individuals deemed at risk of harming themselves or others.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 July 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 27 Jul. 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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