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
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
The Association of American Medical Colleges should coordinate a voluntary sentinel system across member institutions.
—
Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
After six of the governors meet with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum late last month in a last-ditch effort to reach a deal, Colorado's state river commissioner Becky Mitchell had said the four Upper Basin states were committed to conserving water, but only on a voluntary basis.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The mayor’s team implemented a voluntary retirement program for eligible employees last year, as well as consolidated city departments and asked their heads to parse their budgets to find inefficiencies.
—Abby Church, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
If the voluntary water conservation efforts aren’t enough, the South Florida Water Management District can issue mandatory water use restrictions.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
After six of the governors meet with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum late last month in a last-ditch effort to reach a deal, Colorado's state river commissioner Becky Mitchell had said the four Upper Basin states were committed to conserving water, but only on a voluntary basis.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The mayor’s team implemented a voluntary retirement program for eligible employees last year, as well as consolidated city departments and asked their heads to parse their budgets to find inefficiencies.
—Abby Church, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
If the voluntary water conservation efforts aren’t enough, the South Florida Water Management District can issue mandatory water use restrictions.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
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
-
As frozen supply chains continue to expand, autonomous systems designed specifically for extreme environments may become essential rather than optional.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Using an agency, in fact, is entirely optional.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In June 2023, the court held that race-conscious admissions programs violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively curtailing the consideration of race in colleges nationwide.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Cost-conscious travelers should note the airport is raising parking rates, including a 40% jump at the Daily Deck, to help fund safety, infrastructure and reliability upgrades, The Charlotte Observer reported.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a lot of fear of China in Japan, economically and militarily, and, even though people understand there’s interdependence between the two countries, Takaichi is seen as being willing to stand up to China, which inspires a kind of nationalism.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
One question that came up is what else any city would be willing or unwilling to fly.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That deliberate gratitude also trained them to notice all the positive things the other person was doing.—
Jelena Kecmanovic,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Nearly all of the 62-second clip appears to be from a conservative video alleging deliberate tampering with voting machines in battleground states as 2020 votes were tallied.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Miller has noticed that many diners are following the intended model, stopping at several locations in one night.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In January, when Elliott married Blake Murray, their officiant was the intended father.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This is where intentional framing matters.—
Ashley Herd,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
It’s not explicitly confirmed, which is intentional.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Toolson made his first five shots in the second half and almost willed TCU to a comeback by himself.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
-
It cannot be wished, willed or app-ified into existence.—
Chase Wilson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
