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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
That comment elicited an involuntary groan from the boy’s father, Dalvin Driver, who was in court.
—
Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
For Cenedella, the lack of options has reached a breaking point — one state lawmakers have been trying to address without violating California’s strong protections for people with mental illness, which make involuntary intervention difficult.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
At Gwanghwamun and City Hall Station, people watching the same screen naturally became aware of one another and started exchanging reactions—glances, cheers, the small involuntary responses that turn a crowd into a social body.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee County has invested in voluntary resources over the years and shifted away from involuntary treatment.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
For Cenedella, the lack of options has reached a breaking point — one state lawmakers have been trying to address without violating California’s strong protections for people with mental illness, which make involuntary intervention difficult.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
At Gwanghwamun and City Hall Station, people watching the same screen naturally became aware of one another and started exchanging reactions—glances, cheers, the small involuntary responses that turn a crowd into a social body.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee County has invested in voluntary resources over the years and shifted away from involuntary treatment.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
The second episode of Euphoria’s third season finds Rue basking in the glow of God’s favor and settling into her new life working for the strip-club proprietor Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), who tasks her with scooping pig slop and covering up evidence of a dancer’s accidental overdose.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
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Photographer Hoda Afshar recalls the image as something almost accidental.—
Adam Pourahmadi,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Muncy's fly to left field scored Jacob Wilson, who began the inning as the automatic runner at second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Denzel Clarke.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
During a routine maneuver in late February, Voyager 1's power levels fell unexpectedly, bringing the probe dangerously close to triggering an automatic fault-protection shutdown — a self-preservation response that would have forced engineers into a lengthy and risky recovery process.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Stripping the rights of states as the primary authority to regulate their education would also limit their oversight of teacher certification, curricula standards and compulsory education.—
Dina Ciotola,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Investigators say the trip appeared far from spontaneous.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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His content is best known for his spontaneous interactions, such as stopping to talk with strangers on the roadside or offering impromptu taxi services.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The move would not trigger any mandatory water restrictions yet, but would force all public water systems to launch messaging campaigns to encourage customers to conserve water.—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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It's used to make changes to the debt limit, changes to mandatory spending or adjustments in revenues.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Senate unanimously approved the plan to fund the bulk of DHS without ICE or CBP funding, but House Republicans have so far been unwilling to do the same.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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While the Knicks have long been reported to be his preference, New York so far has been unwilling to part with assets that appeal to the Bucks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
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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 25 Apr. 2026.
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