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
Only the muscle twitching in her neck betrays this queenly act; how Shaw manages to switch on this apparently involuntary tell is a thespian mystery.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
The company, which announced the potential layoffs on Friday, said it was required to give 60-day notices of involuntary layoffs to all impacted employees as part of the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2025
To be clear: in some cases, involuntary hospitalization and secure detention are needed.
—Brad Lander, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
Hamm maintained that Frazier lost consciousness quickly and that his movements were likely involuntary.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for involuntary 
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Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
The company, which announced the potential layoffs on Friday, said it was required to give 60-day notices of involuntary layoffs to all impacted employees as part of the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2025
To be clear: in some cases, involuntary hospitalization and secure detention are needed.
—Brad Lander, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
Hamm maintained that Frazier lost consciousness quickly and that his movements were likely involuntary.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
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 23 Feb. 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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