involuntary

[in-vol-uhn-ter-ee]

adjective

1. not voluntary; independent of one's will; not by one's own choice.

   an involuntary listener; involuntary servitude.

2. unintentional; unconscious.

   an involuntary gesture.

   Synonyms: instinctive
   Antonyms: intentional

3. Physiology.,  acting independently of or done or occurring without volition.

   involuntary muscles.

   Synonyms: uncontrolled, reflex

involuntary

/ -trɪ, ɪnˈvɒləntərɪ /

adjective

1. carried out without one's conscious wishes; not voluntary; unintentional

2. physiol (esp of a movement or muscle) performed or acting without conscious control

involuntary

1. Not under conscious control. Most of the biological processes in animals that are vital to life, such as contraction of the heart, blood flow, breathing, and digestion, are involuntary and controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

Other Word Forms

• involuntarily adverb
• involuntariness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of involuntary¹

From the Late Latin word involuntārius, dating back to 1525–35. See in- ³, voluntary

Synonym Study

See automatic.

Example Sentences

The statute of limitations for involuntary manslaughter, an easier case to prove than the voluntary manslaughter charges that Middleton brought, expired in late 2021.

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“It made no sense to me. Then I saw that the reason the prepayments were so high is that they were involuntary.”

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"The Espaillat siblings committed manslaughter and involuntary assault and battery," prosecutors of the Public Ministry said in a statement, claiming to have "hundreds of pieces of evidence" that point to the defendants' criminal responsibility.

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However, just two years later in 2023, it was put into involuntary liquidation.

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Libby Adame was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in one woman’s death.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compulsory 
• forced 
• spontaneous 
• uncontrolled 
• unintentional