1
as in accidental
not made or done willingly or by choice
my long stays on the sidelines during our football games were strictly involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
breathing is involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
In the recent case, one patient that was allegedly following the generative AI’s nutritional suggestion was placed in hospital’s involuntary psychiatric hold for three weeks.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
Will anyone in Waterbury be politically incorrect enough to wonder aloud whether the girl might still be alive if Connecticut had more involuntary commitments?
—Chris Powell, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
His order comes after a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling said cities could punish people for sleeping and camping on public property.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb warned area hospitals to expect more patients as a result of the involuntary commitment,Washingtonian magazine reported.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Adams succeeded in pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul to include in this year’s state budget a change in the state’s involuntary commitment law, expanding it to apply to those incapable of meeting their own basic needs, not just those who are deemed dangerous.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
Will anyone in Waterbury be politically incorrect enough to wonder aloud whether the girl might still be alive if Connecticut had more involuntary commitments?
—Chris Powell, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
His order comes after a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling said cities could punish people for sleeping and camping on public property.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb warned area hospitals to expect more patients as a result of the involuntary commitment,Washingtonian magazine reported.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Adams succeeded in pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul to include in this year’s state budget a change in the state’s involuntary commitment law, expanding it to apply to those incapable of meeting their own basic needs, not just those who are deemed dangerous.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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An accidental entrepreneur Epic’s Deep Space Auditorium.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
16 Aug. 2025
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Finally, the rules have been tweaked for accidental ‘double-touch’ penalties.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The shift to a traditional automatic is a welcome retreat from old frustrations, the turbo’d engine is a step towards efficiency, and the cabin pivots firmly into the modern era.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025
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At that point, benefits would be funded solely through incoming payroll taxes, triggering an automatic cut of around 21 percent unless Congress takes action.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Hopkins clinic fit squarely into the desire of these movements to offer Americans alternatives to the rigid gender roles and compulsory heterosexuality of the Cold War era.—
Time,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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The violent clashes in the state’s megacity Mumbai earlier this month were sparked by the regional government’s controversial decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language in public primary schools.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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This eight-episode Netflix Arctic comedy is a must-watch about a young Inuk woman who wants to build a new future for herself and her daughter after a spontaneous split from her husband.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Regardless of whether Camp Rock 3 comes to fruition, the timing of Joe’s spontaneous reveal does seem like kismet.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
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Born in 1934, the nonagenarian Kurt Klaus is one of the most important watchmakers from the golden age of 20th-century mechanical horology.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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If the lump sum payout is chosen, the winnings will first drop to $196.7 million after a mandatory federal withholding of 24% is applied.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Singaporeans' take-home pay is lower than their full salary because of mandatory Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Indeed, both men have been cast as strongmen—with Putin portrayed as unwilling to back down in the war in Ukraine, and Trump lauded in some circles for his real life application of mad-man theory or his big and bold negotiating style.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Despite his pleading for her forgiveness, Marian seemed unwilling to give Larry another chance—that is, until Jack corroborated Larry's story.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Sensor Coordinates the Action If the battery is the heart of the electric bike, sensors are the nerve tissues of the spinal cord that coordinate the reflex actions of the motor.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Wired News,
8 Aug. 2025
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These habits become reflex rather than top-down mandates.—
Khristian Gutierrez,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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