Involuntarily — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē/ in·vol·un·tary

Meaning & Definition of Involuntarily

Involuntarily (adjective)

  1. done contrary to or without choice
  2. compulsory
  3. not subject to control of the will, reflex

Involuntarily (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in necessarily, inevitably

    similar: ineluctably, inescapably, inevitably, ipso facto, necessarily, needs, perforce, unavoidably

Related Entry: Involuntary (adjective)

Involuntary is a different word from Involuntarily. The synonyms below are for involuntary, not for involuntarily.

  1. not made or done willingly or by choice

    "my long stays on the sidelines during our football games were strictly involuntary"

    similar: coerced, forced, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, will-less
    related: accidental, unplanned, unpremeditated, automatic, impulsive, instinctive, spontaneous, unprompted, inadvertent, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting
    opposite: deliberate, freewill, intentional, uncoerced, unforced, voluntary, willful, willing
    near: advised, conscious, considered, knowing, planned, premeditated, premeditative, prepense, purposeful, volitional, self-imposed, self-inflicted

  2. done instantly and without conscious thought or decision

    "breathing is involuntary"

    similar: automatic, instinctive, instinctual, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic, spontaneous
    related: conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unconscious, unforced, visceral, blind, inadvertent, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, unwitting, abrupt, quick, ready, sudden, ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment, unconsidered, unplanned, unpremeditated, unprepared, unprompted, unreasoned, unrehearsed, unstudied, casual, chance, chancy, haphazard, hasty, hit-or-miss, impetuous, impulsive, mindless, random, rash
    near: calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful, advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful

  3. forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law

    "the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society"

    similar: compulsory, forced, imperative, incumbent, mandatory, necessary, nonelective, obligatory, peremptory, required
    related: all-important, essential, indispensable, needed, requisite, insistent, persistent, pressing, urgent, demanded, enforced, coercive
    opposite: elective, optional, voluntary
    near: chosen, discretionary, dispensable, unnecessary, unneeded, unwanted, inconsequential, insignificant, nonessential, unimportant

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Involuntarily

The most common words with a similar meaning to Involuntarily:

ineluctably, inescapably, inevitably, ipso facto, necessarily, needs, perforce, unavoidably

Word Forms of Involuntarily

Derived words: involuntarily (adverb), involuntariness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Involuntarily

Middle English involuntari, from Late Latin involuntarius, from Latin in- + voluntarius voluntary

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Involuntarily

What does "Involuntarily" mean?

"Involuntarily" means done contrary to or without choice. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: done contrary to or without choice.

What is another word for "Involuntarily"?

Other words for "Involuntarily" include ineluctably, inescapably, inevitably, ipso facto, necessarily, needs, perforce and unavoidably. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Involuntarily" you intend.

Is "Involuntarily" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Involuntarily" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Involuntarily"?

"Involuntarily" is pronounced /(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē/ and divided into syllables as in·vol·un·tary.

What is the origin of the word "Involuntarily"?

"Involuntarily" comes from Middle English involuntari, from Late Latin involuntarius, from Latin in- + voluntarius voluntary. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Involuntarily" meaning "as in necessarily, inevitably"?

When "Involuntarily" (adverb) means as in necessarily, inevitably, synonyms include ineluctably, inescapably, inevitably, ipso facto, necessarily and needs.

What words are derived from "Involuntarily"?

Words derived from "Involuntarily" include involuntarily (adverb) and involuntariness (noun).