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
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
Slavery and involuntary servitude were banned nationally by the 13th Amendment with one exception — as punishment for a crime.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
Much like the 13th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, many states across the country have an exception for slavery or involuntary servitude, allowing it as punishment for a crime written into state law.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
His plan would also impose mandatory, involuntary drug treatment on people with substance use disorder.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary 
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Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Slavery and involuntary servitude were banned nationally by the 13th Amendment with one exception — as punishment for a crime.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
Much like the 13th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, many states across the country have an exception for slavery or involuntary servitude, allowing it as punishment for a crime written into state law.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
His plan would also impose mandatory, involuntary drug treatment on people with substance use disorder.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 22 Oct. 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 17 Nov. 2024.
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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