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
Stories written by Carol have influenced public policy and spurred legislative action, including the passage of laws that reformed the state’s involuntary commitment, child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
—
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
He was later charged with attempting to flee the scene, involuntary homicide and bodily harm.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025
There’s also another attempt to ban involuntary servitude.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
If carried out, the mass layoffs would cut NASA's workforce by 10% and mark the largest involuntary workforce reduction at the agency since the end of the Apollo program in 1972, the organization said in a statement.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
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Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
He was later charged with attempting to flee the scene, involuntary homicide and bodily harm.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025
There’s also another attempt to ban involuntary servitude.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
If carried out, the mass layoffs would cut NASA's workforce by 10% and mark the largest involuntary workforce reduction at the agency since the end of the Apollo program in 1972, the organization said in a statement.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Feb. 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 10 Mar. 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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