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
On the other hand, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims that withholding privileges or credits constituted involuntary servitude.
—
Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
The new transmission responded more quickly and reduced involuntary head banging in the car’s cabin.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026
Section 1033 applies to involuntary conversions, such as where your property is condemned by the government or damaged or destroyed by a fire, storm or defendant.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Well more than a year before the May 18 attack, Caleb Vazquez’s behavior had so concerned officials that he was placed on a 72-hour involuntary hold for a mental health evaluation, feared to be a danger to himself or others, court documents indicate.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
The new transmission responded more quickly and reduced involuntary head banging in the car’s cabin.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026
Section 1033 applies to involuntary conversions, such as where your property is condemned by the government or damaged or destroyed by a fire, storm or defendant.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Well more than a year before the May 18 attack, Caleb Vazquez’s behavior had so concerned officials that he was placed on a 72-hour involuntary hold for a mental health evaluation, feared to be a danger to himself or others, court documents indicate.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
The New York Times later confirmed that reporting through more anonymous US officials, including one official who said US military investigators were still evaluating whether the Iranian drone strike on the helicopter was intentional or accidental.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
10 June 2026
-
The search warrant obtained by ABC News shows that federal agents were instructed to look for anything that would indicate violations of a law to prevent the accidental release of extremely hazardous substances into the air.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Swanson is a healthy player, Counsell said, and the manager wound up subbing him in as the automatic runner at second base for Saturday’s 10th inning against the San Francisco Giants.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
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Furthermore, hoisting the trophy would secure the final crucial points needed to grant her automatic entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame.—
Bob Buttitta,
Daily News,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
In contrast, Sanders’ American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act is compulsory, mandating a 50% equity transfer, with the government gaining voting shares, board representation, and revenues directed toward cash payments and public goods.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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Loadholt responded that North Carolina’s age threshold for compulsory school attendance is 7 — an answer Cunningham pushed back on.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
But for a pivotal game four of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, spontaneous outdoor gatherings won’t be allowed in front of the team’s famed arena.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
-
Now the line gets its third generation, designed to be tossed in a bag and pulled out for spontaneous, screen-free moments.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
Upstairs, the 2,940-square-foot western bar Big Shots features line dancing, beer and a mechanical bull.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Goldman later cited a Manhattan federal district judge's late May ruling preventing ICE from arresting people attending immigration court during routine, mandatory check-ins.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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Heading into OTAs and mandatory minicamp later this month, here are five position battles to keep an eye on and see how the coaching staff divvies up snap count.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
And the album’s title track is resolutely unwilling to choose a corner between deep, dark house and dubstep, like a Croydon Larry Heard.—
Ben Cardew,
Pitchfork,
10 June 2026
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The failure is not only one of policy, but of execution — compounded by a political culture increasingly unwilling to measure outcomes honestly, to welcome scrutiny, or to honestly confront evidence that favored approaches are failing.—
Michele Steeb,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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