involuntary

American  

[in-vol-uhn-ter-ee] / ɪnˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i /

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

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involuntary British  

/ -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

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involuntary Scientific  

/ ĭn-vŏl′ən-tĕr′ē /

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.

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Related Words

See automatic.

Other Word Forms

• involuntarily adverb
• involuntariness noun

Etymology

Origin of involuntary

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

Example Sentences

The agency's transmitters began sending out "involuntary signal emissions", YPA said.

From Barron's

"When you first immerse, you get an involuntary gasp and rapid breathing," she explains.

From BBC

Hiccups are caused by the involuntary spasming of the diaphragm, typically as a result of an irritated phrenic nerve.

From BBC

Researchers behind the Stanford study found the co-responder model decreased involuntary psychiatric holds by approximately 17% and reduced the likelihood of future mental health 911 calls among the four pilot cities.

From Los Angeles Times

"Forcing displaced people to undertake unsafe and involuntary returns is a human rights violation," Turk stressed.

From Barron's

Related Words

• compulsory
• forced
• spontaneous
• uncontrolled
• unintentional