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
On the other hand, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims that withholding privileges or credits constituted involuntary servitude.
—
Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
The new transmission responded more quickly and reduced involuntary head banging in the car’s cabin.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026
Section 1033 applies to involuntary conversions, such as where your property is condemned by the government or damaged or destroyed by a fire, storm or defendant.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Well more than a year before the May 18 attack, Caleb Vazquez’s behavior had so concerned officials that he was placed on a 72-hour involuntary hold for a mental health evaluation, feared to be a danger to himself or others, court documents indicate.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
The new transmission responded more quickly and reduced involuntary head banging in the car’s cabin.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026
Section 1033 applies to involuntary conversions, such as where your property is condemned by the government or damaged or destroyed by a fire, storm or defendant.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Well more than a year before the May 18 attack, Caleb Vazquez’s behavior had so concerned officials that he was placed on a 72-hour involuntary hold for a mental health evaluation, feared to be a danger to himself or others, court documents indicate.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
Call volume during a typical Patriots game can more than double - hundreds of additional calls for help; Some true emergencies, others accidental pocket dials.—
Juli McDonald,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Invasive species The authors of the research paper recommend that all incoming extraterrestrial samples be handled exclusively through advanced robotic systems within the lunar facility, minimizing the possibility of human exposure and accidental release.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Swanson is a healthy player, Counsell said, and the manager wound up subbing him in as the automatic runner at second base for Saturday’s 10th inning against the San Francisco Giants.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
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Furthermore, hoisting the trophy would secure the final crucial points needed to grant her automatic entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame.—
Bob Buttitta,
Daily News,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Attendance to the march wasn’t compulsory for Kings players.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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The right pair of shorts or cropped pants can keep you cool and comfortable on long walks to explore new neighborhoods, lazy afternoons at outdoor cafes, hikes to a waterfall or outlook, and spontaneous detours to the beach.—
Robin Raven,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2026
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That instinct toward image-as-communication shapes the film’s central tension, between the deliberate, enduring photographs made at father-in-law Makoto’s traditional photo studio and the spontaneous clips Yuta fires off on his phone.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
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Upstairs, the 2,940-square-foot western bar Big Shots features line dancing, beer and a mechanical bull.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Goldman later cited a Manhattan federal district judge's late May ruling preventing ICE from arresting people attending immigration court during routine, mandatory check-ins.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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Heading into OTAs and mandatory minicamp later this month, here are five position battles to keep an eye on and see how the coaching staff divvies up snap count.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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In both cases, outsiders arrived amid shifting political and business winds and made clear that anyone unwilling to get on board could leave.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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With the Nuggets, the Kroenkes are reluctant to splash serious cash to upgrade the coaching staff or the front office and reportedly unwilling to eat more luxury tax penalties.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
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That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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