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
When a defendant's case is dismissed because of permanent incompetence, judges can consider whether the defendant should be civilly committed for involuntary mental health treatment.
—
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
Mangual told Fox News Digital that implementing harsher bail policies for previous convicts and allowing for easier involuntary commitment are important steps forward, but North Carolina and other states need more space to house inmates in order for the policies to be effective.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
After awarding the voluntary furlough, management will proceed with involuntary furloughs in inverse order of system seniority up to the 1,800 number, in accordance with flight attendant contracts, the union said.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Union Pacific has committed that these employees will not face involuntary furloughs because of the merger, the union said.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
Mangual told Fox News Digital that implementing harsher bail policies for previous convicts and allowing for easier involuntary commitment are important steps forward, but North Carolina and other states need more space to house inmates in order for the policies to be effective.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
After awarding the voluntary furlough, management will proceed with involuntary furloughs in inverse order of system seniority up to the 1,800 number, in accordance with flight attendant contracts, the union said.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Union Pacific has committed that these employees will not face involuntary furloughs because of the merger, the union said.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
At the time, Anderson called it an accidental error.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The Americans started brightly and confidently, getting control in midfield and probing with intent, but chances were rare, with the first real effort somewhat accidental as Zavier Gozo’s cross from the left clipped the top of the bar.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the smartest things the subgroup of three commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick did in concocting a 12-team CFP format was to grant automatic playoff berths to the top six conference champions (later five after the Pac-12’s collapse).—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The days of securing big automatic rate increases with every new cable carriage deal are long over.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The problem arises when implicit or explicit pressures make either covering or uncovering feel compulsory—so the aim is to restore agency, letting employees decide for themselves without penalty.—
Tia Katz,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The campaign faces a tight deadline, but veto referendums have been successful in Missouri as recently as 2017, when labor unions successfully organized to defeat a right-to-work law that would have banned compulsory union fees.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
From sunny beaches and cultural city breaks to mountain towns framed by fall foliage, autumn offers plenty of affordable options for a spontaneous getaway.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
-
So Rey and Ismael and their band played their first gig, a spontaneous Catholic block party.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike mechanical models, electronic door handles rely on sensors and electricity and may fail during a fire or power outage.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In response, Taipei has extended mandatory military service from four months to one year, boosted arms purchases from its top supplier, the United States, and modestly raised defense spending—measures that have met stiff resistance from opposition lawmakers.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Exantus, 42, is serving a six-month period of mandatory reentry supervision after he was incarcerated in Woodford County in 2018.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While neither has been canceled so far, Ferguson cautioned their economic impact could be smaller than in past years if government employees are unable or unwilling to attend.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
On Thursday, the Senate failed to advance stop-gap funding bills for the seventh time, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers appearing unwilling to give up on their own party’s demands.—
Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In each case, there's a recognition that some players might want to explore a game's world—to experience the characters, art, and dialogue that the developers worked so hard to craft—without struggling through mechanical reflex tests or grindy, repetitive challenges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 Oct. 2025
-
This realistic doctor’s coat has everything your aspiring doctor needs to give their patients a check-up, including a face mask, a stethoscope with sound effects (AAA batteries not included), thermometer, syringe, reflex hammer, and reusable name tag.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share