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
In addition, involuntary wage garnishments and increasing interest rates were suspended.
—
Tevon Blair, Essence, 9 Jan. 2026
Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the bar’s two managers, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, according to the Valais region’s chief prosecutor.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, the Valais region's chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, told reporters Saturday.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Despite insufficient evidence of its benefits, involuntary commitments are already on the rise and Trump’s order could escalate them dramatically.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Tevon Blair, Essence, 9 Jan. 2026
Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the bar’s two managers, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, according to the Valais region’s chief prosecutor.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, the Valais region's chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, told reporters Saturday.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Despite insufficient evidence of its benefits, involuntary commitments are already on the rise and Trump’s order could escalate them dramatically.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Add an extra rinse cycle if using chlorine bleach to prevent accidental bleaching of fabrics.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The actor's cause of death was later revealed to be an accidental overdose.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Membership is automatic for first-time guests who book a stay at rates running $3,000 to $5,000 a night for up to 10 people.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In 2024, some 45% of participants boosted 401(k) deferrals — on their own or as part of their plan’s automatic increases — according to Vanguard’s 2025 How America Saves report, which is based on more than 1,400 plans and nearly 5 million participants.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
More recently, the church was sued by a former employee over a policy of compulsory tithing.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The core design feature is compulsory arbitration, where everyone agrees that if there is a dispute, it is heard by a process overseen by the commissioner—and unlike litigation, it is conducted in private.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Advances in facial robotics are moving beyond preprogrammed animations toward dynamic, spontaneous expressions, enabling robots to better communicate, build rapport, and integrate into human social environments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Compared to the spontaneous, high-spirited, and witty heroines of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, Fanny Price is a prig.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Westbank will install completely new plumbing, electrical, mechanical, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, according to the sources.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Bidding and construction began in November So far, the building’s external structure is complete, with the installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems ongoing.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Upper Basin negotiators have fiercely rejected calls for mandatory water cuts in their states — an issue that has remained a major sticking point in negotiations.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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As a result, the manufacturer recommended visual inspections during routine maintenance cycles, typically every 60 months, rather than urgent repairs or mandatory part replacement.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, the Weeknd has long romanticized his own self-destruction, but here, as the water fills his lungs, death finally loses its glamour—there’s nothing romantic about a man incapable of or unwilling to save himself from drowning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Witnesses may be unavailable or unwilling to speak.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
As a result, reflex time — a mechanic that emulated the slow-motion gunfights of Hard Boiled or The Matrix, or bullet time from Remedy’s Max Payne (2001) — would be a defining aspect of F.E.A.R.’s gameplay.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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