Involuntary — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

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

Meaning & Definition of Involuntary

Involuntary (adjective)

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

Involuntary (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  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 Involuntary

The most common words with a similar meaning to Involuntary:

coerced, forced, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, will-less, automatic, instinctive, instinctual, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic, spontaneous, compulsory, imperative, incumbent, mandatory, necessary, nonelective, obligatory, peremptory, required

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Involuntary

Words with the opposite meaning of Involuntary:

deliberate, freewill, intentional, uncoerced, unforced, voluntary, willful, willing, elective, optional

Related Words for Involuntary

accidental, unplanned, unpremeditated, impulsive, unprompted, inadvertent, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting, conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unforced, visceral, blind, abrupt, quick, ready, sudden, ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded

Near Antonyms of Involuntary

advised, conscious, considered, knowing, planned, premeditated, premeditative, prepense, purposeful, volitional, self-imposed, self-inflicted, calculated, cultivated, designed, intended, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, willed, aforethought, careful, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied

Word Forms of Involuntary

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

Origin & Etymology of Involuntary

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

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Involuntary

involuntary manslaughter, involuntary muscle

Frequently Asked Questions about Involuntary

What does "Involuntary" mean?

"Involuntary" means done contrary to or without choice. As an adjective, it is defined as: done contrary to or without choice. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Involuntary"?

Other words for "Involuntary" include coerced, forced, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, will-less, automatic and instinctive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Involuntary" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Involuntary"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Involuntary". Common alternatives include coerced, forced, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, will-less, automatic, instinctive, instinctual and knee-jerk.

What is the opposite of "Involuntary"?

Antonyms of "Involuntary" include deliberate, freewill, intentional, uncoerced, unforced, voluntary, willful and willing. Near antonyms include advised, conscious, considered and knowing.

How do you use "Involuntary" in a sentence?

Examples of "Involuntary" in a sentence: "my long stays on the sidelines during our football games were strictly involuntary"; "breathing is involuntary"; "the abolition of involuntary servitude by civilized society".

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

"Involuntary" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Involuntary"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Involuntary"?

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