1
2
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

3

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 The jury convicted Yust of voluntary manslaughter in Kopetsky’s death and of second-degree murder in Runion’s death. Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025 However, on June 11, 2024, his attorney filed a notice of voluntary dismissal in Palm Beach County Court. Effie Orfanides, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 In 2018, Hardy pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and carjacking — charges that stemmed from the August 2014 killing of 25-year-old Paul Chambers IV in Bay Point and an unrelated robbery — and he was sentenced to 18 years in state prison. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 There are also voluntary storage options available. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025 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
Adjective
  • As part of the festivities in Cooperstown, Ichiro was invited to an optional golf outing.
    Brad Lefton, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Partnerships with platforms like Hometainment provide optional private chefs, mixologists, and wellness experts, turning a quiet night in into something memorable.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The resulting formula is a gentle and effective cleanser with a host of benefits that have its eco-friendly suds making a splash within the beauty and environmentally-conscious household cleaning spaces alike.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This hotel, which appeals to budget-conscious travelers with its free aquarium and mermaid show, offers free self-parking and valet parking.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Democrats and Republicans in Congress have been playing the blame game this week, accusing the other of not being willing to negotiate.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • One can make the case that many voters are also willing to be selective in their vision—the right’s defense of free speech gathered steam despite the Republican Party suffering from even more seemingly intractable internal contradictions on the issue.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, faced with deliberate racial gerrymandering in other states and unchecked executive overreach at home, California must respond with equal determination.
    Trena Turner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Singer-songwriter Baby Rose stepped into a suite of Nina Simone songs, her voice—smoky, deliberate—pouring into the choreography.
    Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Its intended purpose is to help develop the nation's communications infrastructure and protect consumers’ equal access by promoting competition among communication companies.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Hence, the propeller thrust vectors pointed opposite the intended rotation—the stiffer carbon-fibre frame and later PID retuning fixed much of that control coupling.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether her death was intentional or accidental remains unknown, but her heartbreak is unquestionable.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Moving from canvas to page was challenging, and deeply intentional, for Rosales.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Given no choice, María Ángeles acquiesces to her daughter’s wishes and moves into the seniors’ home, where a hilarious exchange with a hairdresser wanting to chop off her long silver tresses typifies her iron-willed refusal to settle in.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on voluntary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!