involuntary

adjective

in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
-ˌte-rē
1
: done contrary to or without choice
2
3
: not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntarily adverb
involuntariness noun

Examples of involuntary in a Sentence

Breathing and circulation are involuntary processes. When the door burst open, she let out an involuntary shriek. The lawyer argued that the client's confession was involuntary.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
If a debtor is found to have fraudulently transferred assets in the one year prior to the commencement of a bankruptcy case (either voluntary or involuntary), the court is required under Bankruptcy Code 727 to deny the debtor's discharge. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 One group still falls through the cracks Over 10 years ago, Tennessee passed a law requiring court clerks to report involuntary mental health hospitalizations and other records to the federal gun background system. Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Some believe that unit commanders will quickly single people out and start involuntary separations. Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025 In a seizure, erratic electrical activity in the brain causes a change in awareness and/or involuntary physical movement. Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for involuntary

Word History

Etymology

Middle English involuntari, from Late Latin involuntarius, from Latin in- + voluntarius voluntary

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of involuntary was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

involuntary

adjective
in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
1
: not made or done willingly or from choice : unwilling
2
: being enforced or required : mandatory
3
: not normally under the control of the will
an involuntary response to a stimulus
involuntarily adverb

Medical Definition

involuntary

adjective
in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
: not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntary contractions

Legal Definition

involuntary

adjective
in·​vol·​un·​tary in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
: done, made, or initiated contrary to or without one's choice
an involuntary confession
an involuntary lien
an involuntary plaintiff joined in the action
involuntarily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on involuntary

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