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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The cold water gasp reflex is completely involuntary and uncontrollable.
—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
This can reduce the strain on the electric grid and help prevent the need for involuntary power curtailment or power brownouts, Holran notes.
—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
One change was involuntary after captain César Montes earned a red card and was suspended for tonight's game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The cold water gasp reflex is completely involuntary and uncontrollable.
—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
This can reduce the strain on the electric grid and help prevent the need for involuntary power curtailment or power brownouts, Holran notes.
—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
One change was involuntary after captain César Montes earned a red card and was suspended for tonight's game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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Fire departments have also partnered with the APA to hand out buckets so consumer fireworks users can douse used fireworks, reducing the risk of accidental fires.
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While many may have had one as children, the inception of the toy was accidental.
Adjective
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The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.
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The Disciplinary Code states that a sending off or automatic suspension can only be challenged if it was issued to the wrong player.
Adjective
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Volkswagen agreed a deal with unions in late 2024 to avoid factory closures in Germany and rule out compulsory redundancies until the end of 2030.
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Zverev had given his window for that day and so was put out by being told that the test, outside of that window, was compulsory.
Adjective
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That didn’t seem to dent the energy, with spontaneous Argentinian futbol songs breaking out among scrums of fans.
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Instead of limiting where an electric bike can go, its folding design creates more opportunities to ride, making spontaneous adventures easier than ever while still providing the comfort needed for longer distances.
Adjective
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Passive cooling, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, refers to ways to lower the indoor temperature that don’t necessarily require mechanical technology, like AC.
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The pool did not open Saturday with the city's other outdoor pools after mechanical problems delayed the start of the season for the second consecutive year.
Adjective
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The evacuation order for Zone DUN-009-A was lifted, while Zone DUN-009-B remained under a mandatory evacuation order, according to the Genasys Protect service.
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Like the mandatory monitoring list, it is updated only every five years.
Adjective
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The cops posted outside of the nearby Swarovski and PINK stores are similarly unwilling to entertain my interrogations.
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Going-to-the-Sun Road, which connects the eastern and western halves of the park, makes the area accessible for those unwilling or unable to explore the backcountry on foot.
Adjective
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As the session continues, Atlas’s movements appear increasingly fluid, suggesting the system is being evaluated not only for strength but also for agility, reflex response, and adaptive motor control.
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Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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