involuntary

adjective

in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

1

: done contrary to or without choice

2

: compulsory

3

: not subject to control of the will : reflex

involuntarily

(ˌ)in-ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē 

-ˈte-rə-

adverb

involuntariness

(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē-nəs 

-ˌte-rē-

noun

Synonyms

• coerced
• forced
• unintended
• unintentional
• unwilling
• will-less

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 owner of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic was arrested last week and charged with involuntary homicide over the tragic roof collapse on April 8 where 235 people died and nearly 200 more were injured. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 June 2025

California has already sued the federal government to block involuntary federal military deployments within its borders. —State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025

Polls make clear that New Yorkers want action on involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. —Stephen Eide, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025

The Department of Education also initiated involuntary collections efforts against defaulted federal student loan borrowers last week, putting many at risk of wage garnishment and federal benefits offset. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English involuntari, from Late Latin involuntarius, from Latin in- + voluntarius voluntary

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing involuntary

• involuntary manslaughter
• involuntary muscle

Rhymes for involuntary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

Kids 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

involuntarily

(ˌ)in-ˌväl-ən-ˈter-ə-lē 

adverb

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