1
as in volunteer
done, made, or given with one's own free will
a voluntary contribution to the school's fund-raising drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice
participation in the resort's recreational activities is strictly voluntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in conscious
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
the legal distinctions between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of voluntary
Data exists on voluntary departures and voluntary returns, which often happen at the border, Bush-Joseph said, but data on immigrants who are not in formal removal proceedings and choose to leave the country does not exist.
—
Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
In 1997, however, an overwhelmed and underfunded FDA made the program voluntary, allowing industry to say a substance was GRAS without first providing safety data to the agency.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Another Fortune 100 client saw a 32% drop in voluntary departures by using the strategy hub approach.
—Mick Hunt, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Some bar owners had expressed concerns the program would be mandatory or would be used as a cudgel by the city to force changes to their businesses, but Alldredge stressed the program would be voluntary and would largely consist of things bars and restaurants already do.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
In 1997, however, an overwhelmed and underfunded FDA made the program voluntary, allowing industry to say a substance was GRAS without first providing safety data to the agency.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Another Fortune 100 client saw a 32% drop in voluntary departures by using the strategy hub approach.
—Mick Hunt, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Some bar owners had expressed concerns the program would be mandatory or would be used as a cudgel by the city to force changes to their businesses, but Alldredge stressed the program would be voluntary and would largely consist of things bars and restaurants already do.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voluntary
Adjective
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Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups.—
Hannah Kirby,
Journal Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2023
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That’s noteworthy for a show based at a high-school auditorium in Litchfield and run by a staff that is almost entirely volunteer, including the show’s star and its producer.—
Susan Dunne,
Hartford Courant,
18 Aug. 2022
Adjective
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Ginger, black pepper, and orange juice are optional but carry greater health benefits when consumed together, said Jamie Mok, MS, RDN, a registered dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
19 Mar. 2025
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With optional features such as skin tone, hair color, glasses, mustache, freckles and appropriate military branch uniform, the dolls can be ordered to look like the parent.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The average airline passenger likely isn’t very conscious of an airline’s design, although many could probably pick out Spirit Airlines’ bright yellow planes, or the animal tails of Frontier, or the globe of United, or American’s eagle.—
Zach Wichter,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
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Your subconscious mind processes thousands of data points your conscious mind doesn't register.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Apparently the Chinese government is now willing to play hardball in retaliation to Trump’s plan to levy additional duties.—
Vicki M. Young,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Mar. 2025
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While that might be true for future presidents, Trump is not as swayed by public opinion as a second-term president, and a Congress ruled by the same party is much more willing to acquiesce to the demands of the executive.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Learn about your members and make deliberate introductions.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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But the shift was partly produced by deliberate changes to the rules, which were designed to ward off the darker side of teen glory.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Through one game, with eight more intended, his words can only be interpreted as sincere.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
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People overreact to unfinished things that have been circulated without the intended presentation.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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To be truly intentional in your healing process, focus on understanding, not winning or being right.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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Bean also faces a charge of injury to a child with intentional bodily injury.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The entire texture of that life, its willed imposture.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
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Even more than his strong, octave-surfing Ontario accent, his willed congeniality—a mix of natural reserve and a morbid aversion to pretense—spoke to something in my bones.—
Michelle Orange,
Harper's Magazine,
14 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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