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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
breathing is involuntary
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3
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
Advertisement In the court filing, Porter said that Willis had been hospitalized twice since late 2022 on involuntary psychiatric holds and had a history of abusing prescription painkillers and other drugs.
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Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
Essential tremor, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking or trembling in certain parts of the body, runs in the Murphy family.
—Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024
This involuntary response to a threat prevents a victim from actively resisting, as the brain switches into survival mode.
—Sara Ziff, New York Daily News, 25 Nov. 2024
Many different things can contribute to the involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that cause hiccups.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary 
Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
Essential tremor, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking or trembling in certain parts of the body, runs in the Murphy family.
—Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024
This involuntary response to a threat prevents a victim from actively resisting, as the brain switches into survival mode.
—Sara Ziff, New York Daily News, 25 Nov. 2024
Many different things can contribute to the involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that cause hiccups.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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Starring Jacob Fortune-Lloyd in the lead role, the film charts Epstein’s life as a gay, Jewish maverick who was instrumental in the Beatles’ rise before his death, of an accidental drug overdose, in 1967.Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 12 Dec. 2024
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Ryan So, including that a responding officer reported that a detective viewed surveillance footage and determined the firearm discharge was accidental.Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
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Submitting an application that doesn’t follow their specific requirements can result in automatic rejection.Melissa Houston, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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However, instead of adding this plan to its retirement savings lineup, the tech giant used it to replace its 5% 401(k) match and 1% automatic contribution.Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
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Far from being a compulsory burden or tax as some critics lazily posit, sports betting is a voluntary entertainment option, comparable to attending a concert, dining out, or going to the movies.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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An early draft of the bill was submitted by former President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2023 after the deadly protests over compulsory hijab laws.CNN staff, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Again, a sequel followed, with 2010's Little Fockers seeing Greg and wife Pam (Teri Polo) juggle looking after their five-year-old twins with a spontaneous visit from the in-laws.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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After 10 years of dating, followed by a two-year-long engagement, the couple made their union official through spontaneous nuptials.Emily Weaver, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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The heart, for example, contains an internal network of neurons that can regulate electrical and mechanical activity even when the organ has been removed from the body.Jon Hamilton, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024
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With vehicles evolving from mechanical machines to complex technological platforms equipped with advanced software and connectivity features, collaboration between automotive manufacturers and technology firms is essential.Amaan Kazi, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County said that about 18,000 people were in the mandatory or voluntary evacuation zones.Corina Knoll, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
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Park plays Lee Jae-yoon, a man completing his mandatory military service, while Jisoo takes on the role of Kang Young-joo, his girlfriend navigating early career challenges.Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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People will be afraid to take risks, stuck in their old ways or simply unwilling to listen.Brian Slipka, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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Many parents were unwilling to send young children to school during the height of COVID-19, while numerous preschools temporarily shut down.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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For one thing, markets had not significantly anticipated a Trump win in 2016, and indeed there was a reflex selloff on election night, which quickly reversed.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2024
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Based on the title character from the Netflix show Vida the Vet, this kit contains five sensory toys for treating patients, including a stethoscope with sound effects and reflex hammer.Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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