1
as in accidental
not made or done willingly or by choice
my long stays on the sidelines during our football games were strictly involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
breathing is involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of involuntary
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
-
The coroner’s office ruled the deaths accidental due to blunt force trauma.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Which brings us back to Johnson, an accidental Speaker whose majority is on the cusp and his loyalty is at best marginal.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many of these duties are automatic, such as confidentiality between professionals (e.g. doctors, lawyers and accountant and their clients).—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Request an automatic extension while filing through IRS Free File. File Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return by mail, through an e-filing option or with a tax professional.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
South Koreans aged 18-30 face some of the worst relative poverty rates among OECD countries and the perception among young men is that 18-month compulsory national service puts them at a marked disadvantage to their female peers, who are exempt.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Putin on Monday ordered a regular biannual call-up intended to draft 160,000 conscripts for a one-year tour of compulsory military service.—
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Women’s March was highly organized and concentrated, while the protests in June 2020 were largely spontaneous and spread out.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Few inspire spontaneous ovations in public places, like the one U.S. Rep. John Larson received last month at Bradley airport.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Key Polish exports to the U.S. include machinery and mechanical equipment, notably turbojet and turboprop engines.—
Lidia Kurasinska,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The mandatory minimum sentence for the three men, if convicted, is life in prison.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Accurate and timely filing with the IRS remains mandatory.—
Tim Pratte,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But Speaker Mike Johnson and others in the Republican Party appear unwilling to challenge the executive’s expanding use of trade authorities granted to it by Congress, even as the scope and complexity of these tariffs risk spiraling far beyond the federal government’s ability to execute on them.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Even when Putin leaves Russia, many countries are unwilling to arrest him.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But ultimately, the week ended with a pretty good array of extremes in selling pressure and hedging demand of the sort that should turn the risk-reward more favorable for a reflex bounce before too long.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The reflex reaction would be to suggest that without Stiller and Goretzka, Germany lost control in midfield.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share