説明中心

involuntary

[ɪnˈvɒlənt(ə)ri]

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

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'

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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.