involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 
-ˌte-rē
Synonyms
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
My foray into neutrals *involuntary shudder* all started with blue jeans.
—
Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024
As a young boy, Pat saw his father frustrated with an intense, involuntary shaking of his hands.
—Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024
Low magnesium impacts calcium levels, making muscles more prone to involuntary spasms.17
Magnesium is also involved in energy production.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Fourth-Degree Data This data is generated from involuntary actions by individuals without their awareness or intention for it to be collected.
—James Felton Keith, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary 
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Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024
As a young boy, Pat saw his father frustrated with an intense, involuntary shaking of his hands.
—Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024
Low magnesium impacts calcium levels, making muscles more prone to involuntary spasms.17
Magnesium is also involved in energy production.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Fourth-Degree Data This data is generated from involuntary actions by individuals without their awareness or intention for it to be collected.
—James Felton Keith, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary
Dictionary Entries Near involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
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
Medical Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
: not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntary contractions
Legal Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē
: 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
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