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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
According to Souther, Perrine began experiencing involuntary shaking in 2011 that worsened with the onset of an illness that led to professional and financial difficulties.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Her daughter had involuntary movement, so her limbs were always moving.
—Melonee Hurt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
My relationship with my mother has always been strained due to her condition and now after her second involuntary psychiatric hold things are worse.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Bladder infections, often referred to as cystitis, frequently manifest with symptoms such as burning, frequency, urgency, enuresis (involuntary urination) and a foul odor.
—Oc Register, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Her daughter had involuntary movement, so her limbs were always moving.
—Melonee Hurt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
My relationship with my mother has always been strained due to her condition and now after her second involuntary psychiatric hold things are worse.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Bladder infections, often referred to as cystitis, frequently manifest with symptoms such as burning, frequency, urgency, enuresis (involuntary urination) and a foul odor.
—Oc Register, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
The latest data leak is potentially more damaging to Anthropic than the earlier accidental exposure of the company’s draft blog post about its forthcoming model.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Each accidental catch potentially removes an animal that was alive before the Industrial Revolution.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With automatic runner Bo Bichette also aboard at second, Robert reached down and drove a 1-0 slider over the left-center fence for his first homer with the Mets.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
For many years now, that increase has been automatic based on growth in the national average wage index.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But the trial judge, not the jury, will rule on any compulsory changes for Meta at the trial’s second stage in May.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
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Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Placental insufficiency, in which the organ fails to develop or function properly, is a leading cause of spontaneous preterm birth, experts say.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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That kind of flexibility leads to spontaneous nights where what started off as an intimate hang expands into an all-out party.—
Sammy Loren,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Form Insoles combine mechanical arch support with a neuro-stimulating texture, which is proven to reduce foot fatigue and arch pain by increasing overall foot awareness and foot posture.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Until the economies of scale kicked in that would shove mechanical movements into near oblivion within a decade, quartz watches were priced well at the luxury end of the market.—
David Szondy
March 28,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tex McIver's felony murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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He was indicted Wednesday, April Fools’ Day, and could face up to 27 years behind bars, with a seven-year mandatory minimum, if he’s convicted of using a firearm during a crime of violence.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some countries, like the Baltic nations, will be unwilling to upset Trump given their proximity to the war in Ukraine.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz is limited to its ability to disrupt tanker traffic with drones and missiles, deterring commercial shipping unwilling to take the risk.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The ten seconds that led to the Braylon Mullins’ miracle shot were a series of reflex plays, reactions, the ultimate in instincts taking over, living in the split second, rather than in the moment.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
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There was a reflex stop on a David Kämpf flash rebound in the second period.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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