involuntary

adjective

in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
-ˌte-rē
Synonyms of involuntary
1
: done contrary to or without choice
2
: compulsory
3
: not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntarily
(ˌ)in-ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
-ˈte-rə-
adverb
involuntariness
(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē-nəs How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
-ˌte-rē-
noun

Synonyms of involuntary

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Examples of involuntary in a Sentence

Breathing and circulation are involuntary processes. When the door burst open, she let out an involuntary shriek. The lawyer argued that the client's confession was involuntary.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As of Wednesday, Hilton remains hospitalized in Miami under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for the involuntary hospitalization of those with severe mental health issues. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 Where the model has broken down is when departures happened without an anchor — when members left the group itself rather than just the label, or when a member’s exit was involuntary or acrimonious rather than mutually agreed. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The law is designed to provide a people believed to be mentally ill with an involuntary examination if they are deemed a danger to themselves or others, and can be extended through legal processes. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 According to the Partnership for Public Service, more than 200,000 civil servants left the federal workforce in 2025 through voluntary and involuntary separations aimed at reducing head count. — Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for involuntary

Word History

Etymology

Middle English involuntari, from Late Latin involuntarius, from Latin in- + voluntarius voluntary

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of involuntary was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing involuntary

Rhymes for involuntary

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Browse Nearby Words

involuntariness
involuntary
involuntary admission
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

involuntary

adjective
in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
1
: not made or done willingly or from choice : unwilling
2
: being enforced or required : mandatory
3
: not normally under the control of the will
an involuntary response to a stimulus
involuntarily
(ˌ)in-ˌväl-ən-ˈter-ə-lē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

involuntary

adjective
in·​vol·​un·​tary (ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
: not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntary contractions

Legal Definition

involuntary

adjective
in·​vol·​un·​tary in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce involuntary (audio)
: done, made, or initiated contrary to or without one's choice
an involuntary confession
an involuntary lien
an involuntary plaintiff joined in the action
involuntarily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on involuntary

Nglish: Translation of involuntary for Spanish Speakers

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