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
Federline’s book also describes the evening in early January 2008 when Spears was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and placed under a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold following a three-hour standoff involving their children, the New York Times reported.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Survey participants said reasons for the diminishing access included affordability, fears about not being taken seriously or the potential for involuntary hospitalization, the survey said.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
This can reduce the strain on the electric grid and help prevent the need for involuntary power curtailment or power brownouts, Holran notes.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
The siblings go through old pictures, watch old Super 8 footage and even read to each other from surprisingly graphic letters between their parents, expressing involuntary waves of horror and pride at how horny Jerry and Anne were for each other.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Survey participants said reasons for the diminishing access included affordability, fears about not being taken seriously or the potential for involuntary hospitalization, the survey said.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
This can reduce the strain on the electric grid and help prevent the need for involuntary power curtailment or power brownouts, Holran notes.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
The siblings go through old pictures, watch old Super 8 footage and even read to each other from surprisingly graphic letters between their parents, expressing involuntary waves of horror and pride at how horny Jerry and Anne were for each other.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Sources of inspiration include the work of Ari Aster and Yorgos Lanthimos as well as films such as The Babadook and Nicolas Roeg’s 1973 drama Don’t Look Now, starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland as a couple who travel to Venice following the accidental death of their daughter.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
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In 2006, Cheney’s accidental shooting of a fellow hunter in Texas became an odd, symbolic flashpoint in a career marked by control and controversy.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The battle for the Group of 5 automatic bid is wide open in Week 11.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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Say, for example, that a restaurant’s menu states that an automatic 18% charge will be added to all bills for parties of six or more customers.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Being a quick study is an invaluable knack in repertory theatre, which is where Hopkins, with a two-year interlude for compulsory military service, kicked off his career.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Under state compulsory-attendance laws, children are required to attend school regularly—typically from ages 6 to 16—and districts are required to track every absence.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While spontaneous mentions of high prices increased for a fifth month, inflation expectations eased over the longer term.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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This could look like spontaneous travel plans, shifting your career focus or even a spiritual awakening.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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This is due to inevitable issues relating to mechanical faults, maintenance fatigue, and, of course, human error.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Shouts for it will be met by angry fingers jutted towards the various gaffes played ad nauseam on Sky Sports’ weekly Ref Watch, or the mandatory pause before the emotional unleashing as VAR mulls over whether a goal is a goal or just a hoax.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The government had been unable - or unwilling - to fix it.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
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In the rare case where someone is unwilling to seek help and a danger to themselves or others, the law enforcement officer is authorized to take someone to the hospital to be assessed against their will.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But largely absent from the show was a pain management disorder – reflex neurovascular dystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome – that Sioux has dealt with for much of her life.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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In each case, there's a recognition that some players might want to explore a game's world—to experience the characters, art, and dialogue that the developers worked so hard to craft—without struggling through mechanical reflex tests or grindy, repetitive challenges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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