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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of voluntary
In a recent OpEd Dario Amodei, Anthropic's CEO, called for regulating AI arguing that voluntary safety measures are insufficient.
—
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
On June 3, 2025, Private First Class Dewayne Arthur Johnson of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of his pregnant wife, Mischa Johnson.
—Anna Turning, NBC news, 5 June 2025
Game theory predicts something surprising: Even with a hypothetically perfect vaccine – faultless efficacy, zero side effects – voluntary vaccination programs will never achieve 100% coverage.
—Avi Dor, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
The operation also openly encourages the voluntary emigration of Gazans from the Gaza Strip.
—Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
On June 3, 2025, Private First Class Dewayne Arthur Johnson of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of his pregnant wife, Mischa Johnson.
—Anna Turning, NBC news, 5 June 2025
Game theory predicts something surprising: Even with a hypothetically perfect vaccine – faultless efficacy, zero side effects – voluntary vaccination programs will never achieve 100% coverage.
—Avi Dor, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
The operation also openly encourages the voluntary emigration of Gazans from the Gaza Strip.
—Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 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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Set realistic expectations—results vary, and acupuncture works best as part of a broader, optional wellness offering rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.—
Irina Logman,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Ekblad fine Defenseman Aaron Ekblad was a full participant in the Panthers’ optional practice on Sunday and said there are no issues with his left hand after blocking a Darnell Nurse shot during the second overtime period of Game 2 on Friday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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And these attempts to defend history cannot take hold if the public remains conscious of what history actually is all about.—
Jeffery Vacante,
Hartford Courant,
10 June 2025
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His mom, Natalie Hernandez, said the project instills positive life lessons, and teaches kids to be environmentally conscious.—
Yvette Fernandez,
NPR,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Takeaway: The companies leading Latin America's transformation are those whose leaders are willing to break the rules to rewrite the game—and inspire others to follow.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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That takes us to the flip side of this trade: If Bane is so good, why was Memphis willing to move on from him?—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Going the extra mile should be thoughtful and deliberate, creating a lasting impact without breaking the bank.—
Jacob Orrin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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The Aztecs must be deliberate and thorough in their search.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Under normal circumstances, detecting rashes in a small vaccine-safety study would represent a routine scientific setback, and prove that the trials served their intended purpose.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2025
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Uncontrolled access to huge volumes of data and autonomy can compromise an organization's security when AI agents turn rogue and deviate from their intended purpose.—
Steve Durbin,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Shortly after, Kehl would fall to his death at a neighboring building — police have yet to say if the fall was intentional or accidental.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2025
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By combining smart systems with intentional human touchpoints, the ProducifyX team combines speed with care in a way that clients say helps foster stronger matches and a more refined candidate experience.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Carnegie is convinced that sincerity is as easily willed as a ready smile and a memory for names.—
Ann Hulbert,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
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The entire texture of that life, its willed imposture.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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