1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of voluntary
Participation is voluntary, and the competition is limited to line-level, nonsupervisory special agents, the bureau said.
—
Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2026
The homicide detectives took over the shooting investigation and later obtained an arrest warrant for the security guard on the voluntary manslaughter charge.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
Based on that timeline, Rice will miss the Chiefs’ voluntary team workouts May 26-28 and June 1-3 and mandatory minicamp June 9-11.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The order will include a voluntary agreement in which AI companies would share advanced models with the government for a period of time ahead of launch, according to those sources.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2026
The homicide detectives took over the shooting investigation and later obtained an arrest warrant for the security guard on the voluntary manslaughter charge.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
Based on that timeline, Rice will miss the Chiefs’ voluntary team workouts May 26-28 and June 1-3 and mandatory minicamp June 9-11.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The order will include a voluntary agreement in which AI companies would share advanced models with the government for a period of time ahead of launch, according to those sources.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 20 May 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
Adjective
-
Credit insurance is typically optional, with the exception of private mortgage insurance (PMI) on a home loan.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
The study’s scope includes an optional component — triggered only if the initial assessment warrants it — that would produce a conceptual design and site plan for a potential eastern substation, including cost estimates.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
From supportive workplaces to conscious work design While the survey indicates that work remains a contributor to stress and anxiety for some, the data also shows that meaningful progress has been made by employers to support workplace well-being.—
Emma Codd,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
-
In the time since Tanner's departure, Wendy's has struggled to attract consumers who are increasingly value conscious and has lost market share to rivals McDonald's and Burger King.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
When asked whether national Democrats would be willing to spend heavily in Texas, where statewide campaigns can cost hundreds of millions of dollars, Schumer suggested Democrats believe the political environment is shifting in their favor.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2026
-
At that point, climate strategy becomes less about innovation alone and more about governance, credibility and what people are willing to count as credit.—
Caitlin Grady,
The Conversation,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Design features in the rooms The rooms offer a deliberate exhale after the exuberance of the communal spaces.—
Bridget Mills-Powell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
-
Starmer's former deputy Angela Rayner said on Thursday that she had been cleared of deliberate wrongdoing over her tax affairs, boosting her prospects for another potential leadership bid.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The series welcomes us into its world every week with a peppy pinball alien girl, bobbing and weaving her way through the myriad challenges of everyday life, never failing to arrive at her intended destination.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
-
The vessel had been stranded off its intended final destination, Cape Verde in West Africa, after authorities denied it permission to dock there.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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The Dodge County District Attorney’s Office also formally charged Aaron with first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse, the sheriff’s office said.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
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Kang sued Varughese in August 2022, about a month after the investigations closed, alleging false reporting and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
Joe Nelson,
Daily News,
20 May 2026
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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