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
In that case, Langlade County sought to extend the involuntary treatment of a man who had hallucinations and quit his job.
—
Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
People in a persistent vegetative state retain some brain stem functions that regulate involuntary bodily activities, such as heart rate, blood pressure and digestion, but cannot live without continuous care and treatment.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
According to Souther, Perrine began experiencing involuntary shaking in 2011 that worsened with the onset of an illness that led to professional and financial difficulties.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Her daughter had involuntary movement, so her limbs were always moving.
—Melonee Hurt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
People in a persistent vegetative state retain some brain stem functions that regulate involuntary bodily activities, such as heart rate, blood pressure and digestion, but cannot live without continuous care and treatment.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
According to Souther, Perrine began experiencing involuntary shaking in 2011 that worsened with the onset of an illness that led to professional and financial difficulties.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Her daughter had involuntary movement, so her limbs were always moving.
—Melonee Hurt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later attributed his death to an accidental overdose of ketamine, a hallucinogenic anesthetic that in recent years gained popularity as an off-label, unrelated treatment for depression.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
-
His cause of death was later confirmed as an accidental overdose due to cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines and fentanyl.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Nolan Schanuel drove in automatic runner Adam Frazier with a one-out sacrifice fly in the 11th inning to lift the Los Angeles Angels to an 8-7 walk-off win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Accessibility There are plenty of elevators, wheelchair-accessible rooms, accessible parking, and wheelchair entrances with automatic doors for the lagoon entrance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the trial judge, not the jury, will rule on any compulsory changes for Meta at the trial’s second stage in May.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Street artists and fortune-tellers set up here daily, creating a scene that feels spontaneous every time.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
With Venus and Uranus entering Gemini in your curious third house on April 24 and 25, sparks could fly through conversation, texts or spontaneous encounters.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Parking is free, first-come, first served; VIP parking $30 (must be purchased in advance online; VIP parking cost does not include the mandatory car entry fee).—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Several African nations have already pushed through emergency interventions, ranging from direct subsidies to mandatory rationing, to blunt the impact of soaring global energy prices.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And even buildings with strong leasing found lenders unwilling to take a chance on refinancing commercial mortgages in an environment of uncertain leasing prospects.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
-
With Congress unwilling to act as a check on executive overreach, and the courts increasingly sidelined, the constitutional safeguards meant to prevent this very scenario have all but collapsed.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 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 11 Apr. 2026.
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