involuntary Definition
- 1done without will or conscious control; not subject to one's own volition
- 2not done by choice; unintentional
Using involuntary: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "involuntary" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He made an involuntary movement when the spider crawled on his arm.
Example
The patient's involuntary muscle spasms were a side effect of the medication.
Example
The company had to make involuntary layoffs due to financial difficulties.
involuntary Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for involuntary
Antonyms for involuntary
Phrases with involuntary
the crime of killing someone without intending to do so, but as a result of an unlawful act or negligence
Example
The driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter after hitting a pedestrian while texting.
involuntary servitude
forced labor or slavery
Example
The Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution abolished involuntary servitude and slavery.
the legal process of placing a person in a psychiatric hospital or other mental health facility against their will
Example
The court ordered involuntary commitment for the patient who posed a danger to themselves and others.
Origins of involuntary
from Latin 'in-' meaning 'not' + 'voluntarius' meaning 'voluntary'
Summary: involuntary in Brief
The term 'involuntary' [ɪnˈvɒlənt(ə)ri] describes actions or reactions that are not under one's conscious control or will. It can refer to unintentional movements, reflexes, or automatic responses, such as 'The patient's involuntary muscle spasms were a side effect of the medication.' 'Involuntary' also extends to legal contexts like 'involuntary manslaughter,' where a death occurs as a result of an unlawful act or negligence.
