involuntary

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
Definition of involuntarynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision breathing is involuntary

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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

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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 With more advanced cameras and larger data sets, involuntary behavior such as heart rate and skin flushness could also be tracked. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 3 July 2026 That original documentation was directly linked to the president's executive order, calling for involuntary commitment of people experiencing homelessness. — Quil Lawrence, NPR, 25 June 2026 Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 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, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
  1. accidental
  2. automatic
  3. compulsory
  4. spontaneous
  5. mechanical
  6. mandatory
  7. unwilling
  8. reflex
Adjective
  • Fire officials deemed the fire accidental after determining that the family dog, Bo, jumped onto the kitchen counter and turned on the toaster, which ignited nearby combustibles.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Its lightweight, compliant structure makes accidental contact with people, pets and furniture far safer than conventional drones.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • Bluetooth speakers, automatic curtains, and an in-room iPad for the very good Four Seasons app (also available on your phone) would make great enhancements.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
  • The Gamblers advanced after one of their riders appeared to touch the bull with his free hand — an automatic disqualification under PBR rules — but no foul was called.
    — Latif Love July 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • As economist and Opportunity@Work founder Byron Auguste has noted, when policymakers, employers and parents all realized that the shifting job landscape required a different preparatory path, states passed compulsory education laws.
    — Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026
  • In our analysis, the gap between women and men may persist unless masculinity itself becomes less dependent on dominance, control and compulsory heterosexuality.
    — Ann M. Merriwether, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • That didn’t seem to dent the energy, with spontaneous Argentinian futbol songs breaking out among scrums of fans.
    — Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Instead of limiting where an electric bike can go, its folding design creates more opportunities to ride, making spontaneous adventures easier than ever while still providing the comfort needed for longer distances.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
Definition of spontaneous
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
  • The skyscraper is being converted into apartments, which is a more complicated process than building one from scratch and requires extensive structural, plumbing and mechanical work.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Definition of mechanical
Adjective
  • An evacuation warning means a potential threat to life and/or property, and those who require time to evacuate were urged to leave ahead of any mandatory evacuation order.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Regulation varies by state and there is currently no mandatory federal accreditation or licensing requirement for either body donation organizations or non-transplant tissue banks, which are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • Building around Kon and Brandon Peterson was reluctant to tab anyone on the roster as the next face of the franchise, unwilling to put the onus on either of tier two rising stars Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2026
  • So my guess/belief/thought is that the executive trio is hoping for the best this year, but is unwilling to do anything that mortgages future seasons.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of unwilling
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
  • Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 May 2026
Definition of reflex

Browse Nearby Words

involuntarily
involuntary
involute
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Cite this Entry

“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on involuntary

Nglish: Translation of involuntary for Spanish Speakers

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