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
That comment elicited an involuntary groan from the boy’s father, Dalvin Driver, who was in court.
—
Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
For Cenedella, the lack of options has reached a breaking point — one state lawmakers have been trying to address without violating California’s strong protections for people with mental illness, which make involuntary intervention difficult.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
At Gwanghwamun and City Hall Station, people watching the same screen naturally became aware of one another and started exchanging reactions—glances, cheers, the small involuntary responses that turn a crowd into a social body.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee County has invested in voluntary resources over the years and shifted away from involuntary treatment.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
For Cenedella, the lack of options has reached a breaking point — one state lawmakers have been trying to address without violating California’s strong protections for people with mental illness, which make involuntary intervention difficult.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
At Gwanghwamun and City Hall Station, people watching the same screen naturally became aware of one another and started exchanging reactions—glances, cheers, the small involuntary responses that turn a crowd into a social body.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee County has invested in voluntary resources over the years and shifted away from involuntary treatment.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Gilbert's remains were found in December 2011 -- her death is later ruled as an accidental drowning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The light, water-resistant fabric keeps clothes safe from accidental spills and can bear the hard wear of travel days.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Muncy's fly to left field scored Jacob Wilson, who began the inning as the automatic runner at second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Denzel Clarke.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
During a routine maneuver in late February, Voyager 1's power levels fell unexpectedly, bringing the probe dangerously close to triggering an automatic fault-protection shutdown — a self-preservation response that would have forced engineers into a lengthy and risky recovery process.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Stripping the rights of states as the primary authority to regulate their education would also limit their oversight of teacher certification, curricula standards and compulsory education.—
Dina Ciotola,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But the trial judge, not the jury, will rule on any compulsory changes for Meta at the trial’s second stage in May.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Because your nature is bold and spontaneous, aim your confidence at one specific outcome.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Videos show people approaching the robot on city streets to shake hands, ask questions, and record interactions for social media, with these spontaneous encounters becoming central to its appeal.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Board also voted to increase mandatory fees at 13 of Georgia's 25 public colleges and universities.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Military conscription is mandatory in Cuba for men over the age of 18, who undergo two years of military training.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The House was unwilling to override two vetoes earlier this year on legislation that passed unanimously.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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But because many homeowners are unwilling to swap out their relatively low rates, that shift might not happen this spring.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The ten seconds that led to the Braylon Mullins’ miracle shot were a series of reflex plays, reactions, the ultimate in instincts taking over, living in the split second, rather than in the moment.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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