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
In attendance at the ceremony was John Davidson, a Scottish activist well known across the United Kingdom for his efforts to destigmatize Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that can manifest in involuntary verbal tics.
—
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Samir Shah was in the auditorium at the Royal Festival Hall during John Davidson’s involuntary N-word interruption, which was then broadcast on BBC One.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Attention can be directed or involuntary.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
It is characterized by involuntary movements and sounds called tics that usually begin in childhood and, for some people, continue into adulthood.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
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Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Samir Shah was in the auditorium at the Royal Festival Hall during John Davidson’s involuntary N-word interruption, which was then broadcast on BBC One.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Attention can be directed or involuntary.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
It is characterized by involuntary movements and sounds called tics that usually begin in childhood and, for some people, continue into adulthood.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 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 4 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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