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 addition to voluntary repayment plans, the resumption of collections will include involuntary measures such as wage garnishment, tax refund seizures, and reductions in Social Security benefits.
—
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
The condition involves the involuntary pulling of the muscles that open and close the vocal folds, causing the voice to sound strained and strangled, at times with a breathy quality.
—Indu Subramanian, The Conversation, 1 May 2025
What can student borrowers do to avoid involuntary collections?
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 May 2025
He was placed on an involuntary mental health hold by the Boise Police Department, which was extended beyond the typical 24 hours by Health and Welfare, and then by an Ada County judge.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
The condition involves the involuntary pulling of the muscles that open and close the vocal folds, causing the voice to sound strained and strangled, at times with a breathy quality.
—Indu Subramanian, The Conversation, 1 May 2025
What can student borrowers do to avoid involuntary collections?
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 May 2025
He was placed on an involuntary mental health hold by the Boise Police Department, which was extended beyond the typical 24 hours by Health and Welfare, and then by an Ada County judge.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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But the real Sylvia and Mort were larger-than-life characters and became accidental celebrities when The Nanny aired.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
12 May 2025
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Collantes ruled the cut was the result of an accidental headbutt, Suarez’s team is arguing that a punch caused the cut.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Every reliever except Yuki Matsui has been complicit, though Jeremiah Estrada’s unearned run came after the automatic runner was placed on second in the 10th inning on Wednesday.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
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Lola Jones, Hillsdale softball: Jones pitched the final eight innings of Hillsdale’s nine-inning 2-1 win over Aragon, conceding only an automatic runner in the ninth and striking out seven.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The report highlights countries like Brazil and Colombia for undermining patent rights through compulsory licensing misuse, unreasonable patentability standards and delays in granting or enforcing patents.—
Scott Suckow,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
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Cases of soldiers missing for decades have a powerful emotional and political resonance in Israel, where military service is compulsory for most Jewish men.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Christian Science Monitor,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Pockets of time when most parents are homebound are now ripe for spontaneous hangouts, especially because their kids can entertain one another.—
Rhaina Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2025
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But most mutations are acquired — from lifestyle, environmental exposures, or spontaneous errors during cell division.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2025
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The company's debut product, an all-black keyboard with no key labels, put mechanical keyboards on the radar of computer geeks and general consumers alike.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Withdrawals used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition, room and board, books, and other mandatory expenses, are also tax-free.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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In December, before passing a new film funding law, the German parliament removed a clause that would have made certain DEI requirements, including meeting specific gender equality and inclusion criteria, mandatory for all productions receiving government support.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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This spring a jury determined that former Kansas City Manager Brian Platt sidelined the city’s communications directors for being unwilling to stretch the truth.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2025
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Yet, this was a classic case of a kneejerk reaction from WWE fans who were unwilling to let the story play out.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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In addition, the bass reflex port on these speakers is front-facing, which means that they can be placed close to walls without risk of distortion.—
Brad Moon,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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But ultimately, the week ended with a pretty good array of extremes in selling pressure and hedging demand of the sort that should turn the risk-reward more favorable for a reflex bounce before too long.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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