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
The Learning, Inclusion and Talent Committee will assemble on Wednesday, and two sources said that BAFTA’s handling of John Davidson’s involuntary racial slurs was on the agenda for the meeting.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson has coprolalia, where one’s involuntary tics are offensive and inappropriate.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Davidson has Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to the Tourette Association of America.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
In attendance at the ceremony was John Davidson, a Scottish activist well known across the United Kingdom for his efforts to destigmatize Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that can manifest in involuntary verbal tics.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson has coprolalia, where one’s involuntary tics are offensive and inappropriate.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Davidson has Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to the Tourette Association of America.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
In attendance at the ceremony was John Davidson, a Scottish activist well known across the United Kingdom for his efforts to destigmatize Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that can manifest in involuntary verbal tics.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
That emphasis on independence is not accidental.—
K. H. Koehler,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Bud can’t make a joke to his daughters without accidental gender essentialism.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But Gabriel Pec was tagged with a second yellow card four minutes later and forced to exit after being shown the automatic red card.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile Fairfield and Quinnipiac, both 19-1, are battling for the MAAC’s automatic tournament bid.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He’s also been convicted of improper disposal of a human body, compulsory insurance violations, distributing or dispensing Class B drugs, and possession with intent to distribute Class B drugs.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
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Bella Paguyo returns after winning last year’s compulsory title; she’ll be joined by a quartet of stellar freshmen.—
Breven Honda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Spring break should leave space for slow mornings, spontaneous ice cream stops, and extra time at the pool.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Mar. 2026
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And while there was something magical about each of these journeys—because road trips are inherently spontaneous, whimsical, and (well) carefree—one really stood out.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
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Flying the morning of an important presentation may not raise any obvious red flags, but that tight scheduling leaves no margin for unexpected obstacles, like weather events or mechanical issues.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Federal safety regulations limit truckers to 11 hours of driving within any 14-hour workday, followed by a mandatory 10 consecutive hours of rest.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
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Prosecutors said Khan’s third year of his sentence is suspended and will be served under mandatory supervision by probation officers.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Green has faced concerns from within the party, which is increasingly unwilling to defer to seniority.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
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The strait has already been effectively closed since the conflict commenced on Saturday, with shipping companies unwilling to risk vessels in a war zone.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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After your baby is born progesterone (which inhibits breastmilk production) drops and prolactin, which controls milk volume, and oxytocin, which triggers the let-down reflex increases, explains Nadine Rosenblum, the perinatal lactation program coordinator at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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