involuntary

adjective

in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

1

: done contrary to or without choice

2

: compulsory

3

: not subject to control of the will : reflex

involuntarily

(ˌ)in-ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē 

-ˈte-rə-

adverb

involuntariness

(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē-nəs 

-ˌte-rē-

noun

Synonyms

• coerced
• forced
• unintended
• unintentional
• unwilling
• will-less

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

Voters also continued their swing toward tough-on-crime policy by voting to continue some involuntary labor in California. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

And in clinical trials there have been no reports of tardive dyskinesia, or involuntary body movements caused by the blockade of dopamine receptors. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Prop 6, if passed, would amend the California Constitution to remove the provision that allows involuntary servitude in jails and prisons as a punishment for crime. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024

The state's constitution was changed in the 1970s to remove the exemption for slavery, but the involuntary servitude exception is still included. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing involuntary

• involuntary manslaughter
• involuntary muscle

Kids 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

involuntarily

(ˌ)in-ˌväl-ən-ˈter-ə-lē 

adverb

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