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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
Tourette is a highly misunderstood neurological disorder; its most significant symptoms are involuntary and unwanted tics — either physical or vocal, the Tourette Association of America explains.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Friends and colleagues would surface his father’s videos unexpectedly, creating moments of involuntary confrontation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 June 2026
Inmates executed by nitrogen gas have displayed various levels of shaking during the executions, and lawyers for the state and inmates have disagreed on whether those are involuntary or a sign of suffering.
—Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
On the other hand, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims that withholding privileges or credits constituted involuntary servitude.
—Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Friends and colleagues would surface his father’s videos unexpectedly, creating moments of involuntary confrontation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 June 2026
Inmates executed by nitrogen gas have displayed various levels of shaking during the executions, and lawyers for the state and inmates have disagreed on whether those are involuntary or a sign of suffering.
—Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
On the other hand, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims that withholding privileges or credits constituted involuntary servitude.
—Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
In a joint statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, the Defiance County Sheriff's Office and the Defiance County Prosecutor's Office said the boy died in an accidental shooting on Saturday.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Lineage Logistics has previously been accused of failing to comply with safety regulations to prevent the accidental release of anhydrous ammonia.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Miller got a fly ball out that moved the automatic runner to third base and then a strikeout before a single by Wyatt Langford brought in a run.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
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The youngest of five siblings, she was born just one month after the country rescinded automatic birthright citizenship.—
Mo Rocca,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Adjective
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Brazil, facing mounting economic pressure from the United States, is fast-tracking a decade-old legislative proposal to block imports of goods made with forced, compulsory or child labor.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
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At a moment when national unity was viewed as essential to the war effort, the government argued that compulsory flag salutes promoted patriotism and social cohesion.—
Joseph Andrew,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Venus and Uranus’ harmonious connection encourages you to be spontaneous.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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Left unmanaged, coal waste routinely triggers water contamination, airborne dust pollution, and spontaneous fires.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
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Of the two teams Genesis fielded, one was forced out early due to mechanical issues, but the other team finished, placing 13th in a field of 62 (though not all teams finished the race).—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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Now, the one-year grace period for the act’s mandatory registration requirements has ended, meaning agencies must be registered as model management companies or groups with the New York Department of Labor (NYDL) to better enable models to discern legitimate representation.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
19 June 2026
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Seattle's offseason program is over following the conclusion of mandatory minicamp on June 11.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
But those are optimistic goals for a regime that has proven unable or unwilling to keep its own economy afloat.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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In response, some experts have called on Beijing to launch an economic stimulus package, a step authorities have so far been unwilling to take, worried by the country’s existing mountain of debt.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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