1
as in accidental
not made or done willingly or by choice
my long stays on the sidelines during our football games were strictly involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
breathing is involuntary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of involuntary
He was later charged with attempting to flee the scene, involuntary homicide and bodily harm.
—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025
There’s also another attempt to ban involuntary servitude.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
If carried out, the mass layoffs would cut NASA's workforce by 10% and mark the largest involuntary workforce reduction at the agency since the end of the Apollo program in 1972, the organization said in a statement.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Southwest has long boasted of never having an involuntary layoff over a history stretching back more than five decades, but the carrier has taken steps to rein in its workforce.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025
There’s also another attempt to ban involuntary servitude.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
If carried out, the mass layoffs would cut NASA's workforce by 10% and mark the largest involuntary workforce reduction at the agency since the end of the Apollo program in 1972, the organization said in a statement.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Southwest has long boasted of never having an involuntary layoff over a history stretching back more than five decades, but the carrier has taken steps to rein in its workforce.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for involuntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for involuntary
Adjective
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The review found that many of the deaths reported to VAERS claiming to be linked to the MMR included children who has serious underlying medical conditions or had deaths that were unrelated to the vaccine, including accidental deaths.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2025
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Drinking alcohol is bad in many ways; raising a glass can raise your risks of various health problems, such as accidental injuries, liver diseases, high blood pressure, and several types of cancers.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The women lost out on an automatic bid after dropping the A-10 title game to George Mason.—
Isaac Avilucea,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
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The North Korean crew had reportedly switched off the ship's automatic identification system (AIS), a common practice when seeking to avoid detection.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Eleven European countries have compulsory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and non-European Union nation Norway.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2025
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Latvia reintroduced compulsory military service for adult males on January 1 last year, having abolished it in 2006.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the photo recreation may seem spontaneous, Evelyn told Newsweek that her mom was the real mastermind behind it.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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Spellbound audiences burst into spontaneous applause.—
Thomas Doherty,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Mar. 2025
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The vehicle is also fitted with a lower front valance skid plate, for mechanical protection.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment as stated under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
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Northwestern students told the Tribune on Monday that the university provided a mandatory antisemitic video training at the end of February.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Survivors and their families are often unwilling or unable to come forward due to challenges accessing services, along with fears of stigma, rejection by their family or community and retribution from armed groups.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Based in The Hague, the Netherlands, the ICC can step in when countries are unwilling or unable to prosecute suspects in the most serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Marcos Jr., who succeeded Duterte in 2022, has decided not to rejoin the global court.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Engineered to deliver booming bass at all volume levels, the speaker sports dual 58mm tweeters, a 165mm bass driver, a bass reflex tube and BlueAnt’s signature psycho-acoustic bass.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Common triggers include dehydration from illness, vasovagal syncope—a reflex response to nausea or pain—abnormal heart rhythms, and heart valve conditions such as aortic stenosis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/involuntary. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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