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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of involuntary
The owner of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic was arrested last week and charged with involuntary homicide over the tragic roof collapse on April 8 where 235 people died and nearly 200 more were injured.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 June 2025
California has already sued the federal government to block involuntary federal military deployments within its borders.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
Polls make clear that New Yorkers want action on involuntary psychiatric hospitalization.
—Stephen Eide, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
The Department of Education also initiated involuntary collections efforts against defaulted federal student loan borrowers last week, putting many at risk of wage garnishment and federal benefits offset.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 June 2025
California has already sued the federal government to block involuntary federal military deployments within its borders.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
Polls make clear that New Yorkers want action on involuntary psychiatric hospitalization.
—Stephen Eide, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
The Department of Education also initiated involuntary collections efforts against defaulted federal student loan borrowers last week, putting many at risk of wage garnishment and federal benefits offset.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Insider threats—whether malicious or accidental—are the Trojan Horse of modern cybersecurity.—
Muhi S. Majzoub,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Her manner of death was determined to be accidental.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, their relationship is built on a secure emotional foundation that makes these behaviors natural and automatic over time.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The legislation centers on making permanent many benefits from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end, potentially triggering automatic increases for millions of Americans.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
In a landmark move aimed at bolstering Denmark's military readiness, the Scandinavian country is extending compulsory enlistment to women for the first time.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
Her boyfriend was on an Iranian base doing compulsory military service; unreachable and potentially in danger.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Dating rocks involves using radiometric techniques that harness the natural and spontaneous radioactive decay of certain elements in the rock, which acts as a type of clock.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
-
If a dog park is too much, just walking your pup around your neighborhood or visiting local breweries or restaurants with dog-friendly patios can lead to spontaneous chats and recurring friendly encounters.—
Sunny Hubler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
-
Nam-gyu is knocked off by the mechanical rope to his death.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Efficiency is mandatory, and speed of execution is everything.—
Marc Scheipe,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Military service in Israel is mandatory, and has become even more depended on as the country gets entangled in ever more regional conflicts.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
But this option only applies to those unwilling to return to China, Fan explains, as such affidavits lose force if an immigrant ever re-enters China.—
Ashish Valentine,
NPR,
29 June 2025
-
There, Jeff’s aptitude for all things science became apparent and his siblings became unwilling participants in his experiments.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some bass-heavy speakers can create an annoying booming sound from the reflex port at the rear of the speaker.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
The Loewe Grand inicio is a powerful two-way speaker with a bass reflex system and is available as a floor-standing speaker.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share