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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
One change was involuntary after captain César Montes earned a red card and was suspended for tonight's game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Like laughter, gratification is involuntary.
—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
The involuntary drivers of the buses that had become momentary monuments fist-bumped the fans who streamed past them.
—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.
—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Like laughter, gratification is involuntary.
—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
The involuntary drivers of the buses that had become momentary monuments fist-bumped the fans who streamed past them.
—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.
—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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Always turn off the electricity and water supply line and remove nearby light fixtures when dealing with bursting ceiling pipes to avoid accidental electrocution.
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In fact, the two met via an accidental Instagram follow.
Adjective
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Beneath the charges for chicken and ribeye skewers, french fries and iced teas, the Town Center mall restaurant had added a 20% automatic gratuity and 3% service fee.
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The bankruptcy court started with the simple observation that any time a bankruptcy case is commenced, an automatic stay goes into effect.
Adjective
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Since Israel’s founding, members of the community who devoted themselves to Torah studies have been exempt from the nation’s compulsory military service.
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Simply sitting with the idea that death is compulsory and irreversible is too hard.
Adjective
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First, bringing tried-and-true basics allows for spontaneous styling, rather than trying to plan every outfit ahead of time.
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The spontaneous pregnancy was so rare that even some medical professionals struggled to explain its odds.
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
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Shawn was a fireman in the Navy, maintaining the engineering and mechanical systems aboard ship, during his first stint.
Adjective
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Since then, the mussels have spread through California waterways, prompting mandatory boat inspections and decontamination requirements at lakes and reservoirs statewide.
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The requirement was lifted in 1949 but reinstated in the 1950s, and flu vaccines remained mandatory until Hegseth's order.
Adjective
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The major platforms, Ringelstein argued, are simply incapable of doing what Zigazoo does — not unwilling, but structurally unable.
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Baer believes that most people’s problems stem from being raised by parents unable or unwilling to offer the sort of love that seeks nothing in return.
Adjective
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As the session continues, Atlas’s movements appear increasingly fluid, suggesting the system is being evaluated not only for strength but also for agility, reflex response, and adaptive motor control.
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Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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