VOLUNTARY Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'voluntary' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of voluntary are deliberate , intentional , and willing . While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion. // a voluntary confession

Q: Where would 'deliberate' be a reasonable alternative to 'voluntary'?

While the synonyms deliberate and voluntary are close in meaning, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences. // deliberate acts of sabotage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'intentional' instead of 'voluntary'?

Although the words intentional and voluntary have much in common, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved. // the intentional concealment of vital information

Q: When could 'willing' be used to replace 'voluntary'?

The synonyms willing and voluntary are sometimes interchangeable, but willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another. // willing obedience

voluntary

adjective

ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē

Definition of voluntary

as in volunteer

done, made, or given with one's own free will a voluntary contribution to the school's fund-raising drive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in optional

subject to one's freedom of choice participation in the resort's recreational activities is strictly voluntary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in conscious

made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing the legal distinctions between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word voluntary different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of voluntary are deliberate, intentional, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

Where would deliberate be a reasonable alternative to voluntary?

While the synonyms deliberate and voluntary are close in meaning, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is it sensible to use intentional instead of voluntary?

Although the words intentional and voluntary have much in common, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When could willing be used to replace voluntary?

The synonyms willing and voluntary are sometimes interchangeable, but willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

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 voluntary After more than a week of witness testimony, a Cass County jury in April 2021 found Yust guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Kopetsky, 17, and second-degree murder in the death of Runions, 21. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Farrell is being arraigned on the voluntary manslaughter charge Tuesday, according to Steele. — Jason M. Volack, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Given the relative newness of the program and the voluntary nature of the certification, not all native plant suppliers will be included, although the list will likely expand over time. — Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2026 Its core commitments are voluntary and informed participation, minimization of harm to participants, confidentiality and prior approval by an institutional review board that weighs risk against scientific value. — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for voluntary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for voluntary

Adjective

Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups.

— Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
That’s noteworthy for a show based at a high-school auditorium in Litchfield and run by a staff that is almost entirely volunteer, including the show’s star and its producer.

— Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2022

Definition of volunteer

Adjective

Bonnell also uses a belt drive as standard equipment for quieter, lower-maintenance operation, with an optional 520 chain conversion available for riders who prefer a more traditional setup.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
The brand added that the toothbrush’s camera feed is strictly live and optional, with no images or video stored on the app or the phone, and no access for the company at any point.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of optional

Adjective

The usual crowd here, though, is the design-conscious traveler, along with couples looking for more character than the usual glass-tower Tokyo hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
As surgeons worked behind her ear, Peasley listened to the music and remained conscious throughout the procedure.

— Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of conscious

Adjective

God willing, that place will be juvenile court, where the lives of these young people can be respected and honored.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
That’s because content companies are willing to shell out major bucks to air live, anything-can-happen matches, which tend to draw bigger audiences than scripted fare.

— Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of willing

Adjective

What The Band Has Done Well The pacing was patient, and that patience appears deliberate.

— Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The encounter affirmed that things were falling into place, Lee said, adding that moments like that must be accompanied by deliberate and strategic work.

— April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of deliberate

Adjective

Three shooters unloaded 18 rounds at the black Escalade in which Robinson rode with his cousin and the intended target — Tyquian Bowman, a rapper known as Quando Rondo.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
SwRI’s new toy for sCO₂ testing Their job is to control where and how quickly CO₂ enters the rock formation, prevent unwanted fluids moving around the well, and generally keep the reservoir behaving as intended.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of intended

Adjective

Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.

— Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Meanwhile, gracious but iron-willed family matriarch Claudine works tirelessly behind the scenes to hush up family scandals.

— Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026

Definition of willed

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voluntarily

voluntary

volunteer

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“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of voluntary

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