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
Such slavery can present itself in a variety of ways, including involuntary labor.
—
Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
After both of Colorado’s U.S. senators expressed opposition to involuntary land sales for the expansion, the idea was scuttled in 2013.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
The reactions are involuntary movements associated with oxygen deprivation, state officials have said.
—arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Intrusive and impulsive thoughts are both involuntary and unexpected.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
After both of Colorado’s U.S. senators expressed opposition to involuntary land sales for the expansion, the idea was scuttled in 2013.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
The reactions are involuntary movements associated with oxygen deprivation, state officials have said.
—arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Intrusive and impulsive thoughts are both involuntary and unexpected.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 13 Mar. 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 29 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share