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
While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.
—
Reid Bg, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
While the legislature required most involuntary tows from apartments to be triggered by specific complaints, residents said towing companies are continuing to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.
—Ginny Monk, ProPublica, 27 Apr. 2026
Gregory Adames testified against siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who are accused of involuntary manslaughter and involuntary assault and battery following the collapse at the legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
But the plaintiffs’ concerns were ignored and, in 2019, the department retaliated by starting Internal Affairs investigations and imposing a series of negative work actions against the officers, including demotions, removals from specialized assignments and involuntary transfers, suit stated.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Reid Bg, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
While the legislature required most involuntary tows from apartments to be triggered by specific complaints, residents said towing companies are continuing to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.
—Ginny Monk, ProPublica, 27 Apr. 2026
Gregory Adames testified against siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who are accused of involuntary manslaughter and involuntary assault and battery following the collapse at the legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
But the plaintiffs’ concerns were ignored and, in 2019, the department retaliated by starting Internal Affairs investigations and imposing a series of negative work actions against the officers, including demotions, removals from specialized assignments and involuntary transfers, suit stated.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Forensic investigators will determine whether the shooting was on purpose or accidental, police said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
-
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy didn't buy the scene as accidental.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Massey began the inning as the automatic runner at second base, stole third, and then scored on Garcia’s flyball to center field off Cooper Criswell (1-1).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
Third-place finishers may advance via an automatic qualifier.—
Charles Baggarly
May 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not only is Irish the Republic’s first official language, and compulsory from primary through to secondary school, it is required for entry into the civil service, and it is supported by its own radio station (Raidió na Gaeltachta) and TV station (TG4), and a range of promotional bodies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 May 2026
-
The plan leaves the door open for limited compulsory recruitment if not enough people volunteer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2024, for example, more than 700 newborns died from spontaneous bleeding in their brains, which could have been complicated by liver disease or prematurity.—
Lee Hutchinson,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
-
The little details are also covered—ice water delivered at regular intervals by beach staff, as well as complimentary kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel gear, making a spontaneous adventure easy to come by.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
In 2016, its Swiss Alp model took a lighthearted jab at the tech industry, introducing a high-end mechanical timekeeper resembling the Apple Watch.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
2 May 2026
-
Felix Bohnsack, a twenty-two-year-old mechanical-engineering student, was ostensibly coördinating the work.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Key measures include mandatory identification verification for recording, witness address requirements and free property fraud alert services from county clerks.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
-
Fort Mill joined Clover in announcing mandatory restrictions after the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group upgraded the region to Stage 2.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Now, on their own again, companies are unwilling to bear the risk of transit — letting ships leave would endanger both cargo and personnel.—
Alejandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
Yousef Pezeshkian, the son and adviser of President Masoud Pezeshkian, wrote on Telegram that both the United States and Iran see themselves as the winner of the war and are unwilling to back down.—
Adam Schreck,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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