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
She was transported to a hospital and placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold.
—
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
The department did not set a new date for involuntary collections.
—Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Last week’s announcement did not specify whether defaulted FFEL-program student loans held by guaranty agencies are covered by the suspension of involuntary collections.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
While this may seem like a humane way to get help to people in need on its face, research has shown that involuntary commitment is frequently ineffective in treating mental illness.
—Sakeena Trice, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
The department did not set a new date for involuntary collections.
—Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Last week’s announcement did not specify whether defaulted FFEL-program student loans held by guaranty agencies are covered by the suspension of involuntary collections.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
While this may seem like a humane way to get help to people in need on its face, research has shown that involuntary commitment is frequently ineffective in treating mental illness.
—Sakeena Trice, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Earle died in August 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, from an accidental overdose.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Racial categories in this country were not accidental.—
Rosalind Osgood,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
State legislation under consideration would prohibit the sale of new handguns that are designed to be easily converted into fully automatic weapons.—
Cindy Camp,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Resort officials said the gondola stopped due to a mechanical alignment issue that triggered a safety sensor — bringing the lift to an automatic stop, Olympic Regional Development Authority and Gore Mountain said in a statement to Fox News Digital.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The first demonstration against it took place within the very first month of its establishment, when women poured into the streets to protest compulsory hijab.—
Shahrnush Parsipur,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Poland gives medalists an investment-grade diamond and a painting for gold medals, and South Korea exempts winners from compulsory military service.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
With nowhere to go but up, writers and artists were engaged in collective, spontaneous creation.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Apparently, to the extent possible, Newsom likes to be spontaneous.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The researchers emphasize that the system is designed to detect mechanical stress only.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Resort officials said the gondola stopped due to a mechanical alignment issue that triggered a safety sensor — bringing the lift to an automatic stop, Olympic Regional Development Authority and Gore Mountain said in a statement to Fox News Digital.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One weapons count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum of life, while another related conspiracy charge also carries a maximum sentence of life.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
More than 300 district judges in Minnesota and elsewhere have so far rejected the government’s mandatory detention policies, ordering detainees released or granted bond hearings.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tottenham also asked about RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, who has had an excellent debut season in the Bundesliga, but were met with a swift rejection, with the German club unwilling to entertain interest until the end of the season.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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The suspect abandoned the car and his unwilling passenger about two miles away in Maspeth a short time later, according to law enforcement.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This local reflex system reduces damage, improves safety and makes interactions feel more natural.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Or just a reflex mean-reversion trade in some laggard sectors at a time when the AI theme has become more fragmented and treacherous?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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