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
Relevance
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
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
Two of their mothers across generations contend with involuntary reactions, one gagging, the other laughing, reflections on the ways our bodies can betray us.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 May 2025
The vagus nerve is the main nerve of your parasympathetic nervous system, which controls key involuntary body functions like your heart rate, digestion, immune system, and even your mood.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 May 2025
For those with severe tinnitus, their involuntary facial twitches and pupil dilation occurred in response to pleasant and unpleasant sounds, as their nervous system was unable to differentiate good from bad.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 11 May 2025
My regular readers might remember that my personal definition of art is pretty simple: Art is work that evokes an involuntary emotional response.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 May 2025
The vagus nerve is the main nerve of your parasympathetic nervous system, which controls key involuntary body functions like your heart rate, digestion, immune system, and even your mood.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 May 2025
For those with severe tinnitus, their involuntary facial twitches and pupil dilation occurred in response to pleasant and unpleasant sounds, as their nervous system was unable to differentiate good from bad.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 11 May 2025
My regular readers might remember that my personal definition of art is pretty simple: Art is work that evokes an involuntary emotional response.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
The coroner found that no foul play was involved, and that his death was accidental.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
-
The accidental shooting unfolded on Wednesday inside an apartment in northeast D.C., located on 1700 block of Benning Road.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
But Spurs came in through the Champions League backdoor this week, beating Manchester United in the final of the second-tier European tournament, the Europa League, to win an automatic UCL slot.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
25 May 2025
-
The future of a human-humanoid future can not be left in the hands of international organisations alone, nor can it be considered as the automatic outcome of private sector progress.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Zverev had given his window for that day in the morning and so was put out by being told that the test was compulsory.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
-
Love in the Spectrum isn’t exactly free-range dating — dates are set up by the show, followed up on (no fear of ghosting), and dissected by participants — but there is no compulsory finish line.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Conversations are flirtatious and direct, so expect bold texts and spontaneous meetings.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 May 2025
-
Bilek said that proposals should be intentional moments, not spontaneous gestures, and partners should openly communicate expectations around commitment to avoid confusion or emotional harm.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
The pool’s mechanical room looks like the boiler room of an ocean liner — with giant tanks that purify pool water and another system that stabilizes the temperature.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
-
Replacement parts from companies such as Moss Motors are affordable, and anyone with basic mechanical skills can wrench on their own MG, adding a little skin—and a lot of satisfaction—into the game.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Their eldest son and heir, Crown Prince Christian, began his mandatory military training in February, serving with the Guard Hussar cavalry regiment at Antvorskov Barracks.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
22 May 2025
-
In fact, the creation of the recycling symbol on plastic products, utilizing the 1–7 polymer grade scale, was a push from industry as a bargaining chip to stop state governments from instituting plastic bans and creating mandatory recycling standards.—
Aissa Dearing,
JSTOR Daily,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
For potential customers who are either unable or unwilling to install photovoltaic technology on their own property, community solar can be a viable option for bringing renewable energy into their homes, Reed said.—
Amaia Gavica,
Idaho Statesman,
22 May 2025
-
The focus and surgical exactitude that qualified him to guide a missile through the stars would from then on be applied to guiding an unwilling society to the idea that gay Americans were, in every way, deserving of equal rights and respect under the law.—
Evan Brechtel,
NBC news,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
In addition, the bass reflex port on these speakers is front-facing, which means that they can be placed close to walls without risk of distortion.—
Brad Moon,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
But ultimately, the week ended with a pretty good array of extremes in selling pressure and hedging demand of the sort that should turn the risk-reward more favorable for a reflex bounce before too long.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share