involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 
-ˌte-rē
Synonyms
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
Voters also continued their swing toward tough-on-crime policy by voting to continue some involuntary labor in California.
—
Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
And in clinical trials there have been no reports of tardive dyskinesia, or involuntary body movements caused by the blockade of dopamine receptors.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Prop 6, if passed, would amend the California Constitution to remove the provision that allows involuntary servitude in jails and prisons as a punishment for crime.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
The state's constitution was changed in the 1970s to remove the exemption for slavery, but the involuntary servitude exception is still included.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary 
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.
Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
And in clinical trials there have been no reports of tardive dyskinesia, or involuntary body movements caused by the blockade of dopamine receptors.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Prop 6, if passed, would amend the California Constitution to remove the provision that allows involuntary servitude in jails and prisons as a punishment for crime.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
The state's constitution was changed in the 1970s to remove the exemption for slavery, but the involuntary servitude exception is still included.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for involuntary
Dictionary Entries Near involuntary
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
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
Medical Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
(ˈ)in-ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
: not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntary contractions
Legal Definition
involuntary
adjective
in·vol·un·tary
in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share