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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

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word voluntary different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of voluntary are deliberate, intentional, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

Where would deliberate be a reasonable alternative to voluntary?

While the synonyms deliberate and voluntary are close in meaning, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is it sensible to use intentional instead of voluntary?

Although the words intentional and voluntary have much in common, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When could willing be used to replace voluntary?

The synonyms willing and voluntary are sometimes interchangeable, but willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

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 voluntary James Wheeler, 44, was acquitted of murder but convicted of voluntary manslaughter last July, in the November 2023 shooting death of Johnny James Johnson Jr. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025 Experts point out that Florida’s circuit courts allow for voluntary dismissals. Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 15 Sep. 2025 Current regulations require companies to report earnings on a quarterly basis, though providing forecasts is voluntary. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025 Currently, a tip is a voluntary and optional payment a customer makes in addition to the cost of the goods or services provided. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voluntary
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.
    William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • And battery life is better, the Mini 5 Pro gets 36 minutes per charge with its standard battery and 52 minutes of flight time with an optional extended life cell, up from 45 minutes for the Mini 4 Pro.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Many multifamily operators are deeply brand-conscious.
    Tyler Christiansen, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Libra is, after all, the sign of the scales — a Cardinal energy that initiates connection while making the conscious effort to surround itself with beauty.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the state has been willing to elect moderate Republicans over the years, including Collins, who has enjoyed popularity in the state for decades.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • People who don’t fall into these categories may still be able to get a vaccine if a provider is willing to give it off-label.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This reframes usage as deliberate practice rather than digital grazing.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • To this end, instead of complexity, the team showed that deliberate simplification (a minimalist molecule) is the key.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Beck took ownership of his two interceptions — one that came late in the first half with Miami trying to pad its lead before the break, the second which was tipped by Malachi Toney on its way to its intended target in Tony Johnson.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
  • To successfully operationalize GenAI, businesses must double down on focus—first, with FLMs and their domain-specific data training, and second, with focused domain usage, by defining knowledge anchors for intended use.
    Scott Zoldi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Two innings later, Kershaw hit Aaron Rowand — a beaning that was deemed intentional.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Leaders can schedule intentional slow phases after major sprints for reflection, skill-building, or lighter workloads.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Claiborne said the property was eventually willed to Vanderbilt University, which in turn sold it to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County in 1968.
    Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on voluntary

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