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
One change was involuntary after captain César Montes earned a red card and was suspended for tonight's game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Like laughter, gratification is involuntary.
—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
The involuntary drivers of the buses that had become momentary monuments fist-bumped the fans who streamed past them.
—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.
—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Like laughter, gratification is involuntary.
—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
The involuntary drivers of the buses that had become momentary monuments fist-bumped the fans who streamed past them.
—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.
—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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Fire departments have also partnered with the APA to hand out buckets so consumer fireworks users can douse used fireworks, reducing the risk of accidental fires.
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While many may have had one as children, the inception of the toy was accidental.
Adjective
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The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.
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The Disciplinary Code states that a sending off or automatic suspension can only be challenged if it was issued to the wrong player.
Adjective
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Volkswagen agreed a deal with unions in late 2024 to avoid factory closures in Germany and rule out compulsory redundancies until the end of 2030.
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Zverev had given his window for that day and so was put out by being told that the test, outside of that window, was compulsory.
Adjective
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First, bringing tried-and-true basics allows for spontaneous styling, rather than trying to plan every outfit ahead of time.
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The spontaneous pregnancy was so rare that even some medical professionals struggled to explain its odds.
Adjective
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Passive cooling, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, refers to ways to lower the indoor temperature that don’t necessarily require mechanical technology, like AC.
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The pool did not open Saturday with the city's other outdoor pools after mechanical problems delayed the start of the season for the second consecutive year.
Adjective
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The evacuation order for Zone DUN-009-A was lifted, while Zone DUN-009-B remained under a mandatory evacuation order, according to the Genasys Protect service.
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Like the mandatory monitoring list, it is updated only every five years.
Adjective
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The major platforms, Ringelstein argued, are simply incapable of doing what Zigazoo does — not unwilling, but structurally unable.
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Baer believes that most people’s problems stem from being raised by parents unable or unwilling to offer the sort of love that seeks nothing in return.
Adjective
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As the session continues, Atlas’s movements appear increasingly fluid, suggesting the system is being evaluated not only for strength but also for agility, reflex response, and adaptive motor control.
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Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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