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

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

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Two Iraqis, six Afghans, and one Sudanese national are facing varying charges, notably involuntary manslaughter and criminal conspiracy for illegal immigration.

Read more on Barron's

It’s happened often enough that scientists at the Mayo Clinic have a more formal definition for it—involuntary wrist spasms that can stem from a neurological condition called focal dystonia.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Baldwin, the 67-year-old star and a producer of the western film, had been facing a felony involuntary manslaughter charge for his role in Hutchins’ accidental shooting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compulsory 
• forced 
• spontaneous 
• uncontrolled 
• unintentional