What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
involuntary
Example
The patient's hand moved involuntarily due to the medication. [involuntarily: adverb]
Example
She had an involuntary reaction to the loud noise, flinching and covering her ears. [involuntary: adjective]
unwilling
Example
He was unwilling to help with the project, citing his lack of experience. [unwilling: adjective]
Example
She reluctantly agreed to attend the party, but was clearly unwilling to be there. [unwilling: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unwilling is more commonly used than involuntary in everyday language. Unwilling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while involuntary is less common and usually used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between involuntary and unwilling?
Involuntary is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while unwilling is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
