1
as in accidental
not made or done willingly or by choice
my long stays on the sidelines during our football games were strictly involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
breathing is involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
West had previously recounted being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and described his experience with an involuntary psychiatric hold.
—
Lisa Respers France, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
One theory is that foot reflexology affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
The history of enslaved firefighters offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on involuntary labor to fight blazes.
—Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic neurological voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the larynx (voice box), leading to interruptions in speech.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for involuntary 
Lisa Respers France, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
One theory is that foot reflexology affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
The history of enslaved firefighters offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on involuntary labor to fight blazes.
—Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic neurological voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the larynx (voice box), leading to interruptions in speech.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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As the largest startup offering cyber insurance and proactive monitoring tools with over 90,000 policyholders, Coalition insures against incidents like cyberattacks, email scams and accidental privacy violations.—
Jeff Kauflin,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
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The death of a man whose body was found in a burning car in Cromwell was ruled accidental, according to the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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If passed, Maryland can use automatic money returns for claims under $5,000.—
Scott Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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Not all employees have an automatic right to appeal.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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An early job as a lab technician was interrupted by five years of compulsory military service.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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That’s because voting is compulsory in Australia, with the threat of a fine for noncompliance, and turnout typically exceeds 90 percent.—
Victoria Kim,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Luna will also meet with electric Uranus in an exhilarating trine, shaking things up with a spontaneous trip or a philosophical conversation that sparks a new romantic connection.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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White’s style is certainly very different to what Isaacs experienced on 2017 black comedy The Death of Stalin, which despite its irreverent, spontaneous tone, was in fact meticulously overseen by writer and director Armando Iannucci, the Emmy-winning creator of Veep.—
Charlie Campbell / Koh Samui,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In 2023, more than 200 passengers were stuck at a military base in remote Canada for over 21 hours after a Delta flight traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, experienced a mechanical issue and needed to make an emergency landing.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
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As the final stage began, Austin Hill experienced a mechanical issue with leaking fluid.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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With that being said, most states have guidelines that require restaurants to disclose mandatory gratuities as well as service charges prior to someone dining at their establishment.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
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Texas law calls for a mandatory 21-day waiting period after a school superintendent finalist is named before the board can take action to hire the superintendent.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Depth and art are not a license to impose behavior on those who are young, confused, vulnerable, trusting yet unwilling.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2025
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The characters are not wholly irredeemable, and some do arrive through meditation and self-reflection at meaningful answers about their compulsions, even as others remain unwilling to consider such questions about their motivations (and how their actions affect other people).—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Common triggers include dehydration from illness, vasovagal syncope—a reflex response to nausea or pain—abnormal heart rhythms, and heart valve conditions such as aortic stenosis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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The reflex reaction might well be, What exactly have the governor and fellow Democrats been doing for the previous six years?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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