involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 
-ˌte-rē
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
Throughout his career, Capaldi has been open about his struggles with Tourette’s syndrome, a condition of the nervous system that, according to the National Health Service, causes people to make sudden sounds or have involuntary body movements.
—
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 27 June 2025
The restraining order against Kelley was filed following her release from an involuntary 5150 hold at a Utah hospital, where she was brought in by authorities on June 13.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 26 June 2025
Later that year, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
In studies, this was seen in both healthy people and those taking it for certain health conditions, such as tardive dyskinesia (an involuntary movement disorder).
—Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
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Sophie Williams, Billboard, 27 June 2025
The restraining order against Kelley was filed following her release from an involuntary 5150 hold at a Utah hospital, where she was brought in by authorities on June 13.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 26 June 2025
Later that year, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
In studies, this was seen in both healthy people and those taking it for certain health conditions, such as tardive dyskinesia (an involuntary movement disorder).
—Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 4 Jul. 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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