involuntary

[ in-vol-uhn-ter-ee ]

adjective

1. not voluntary; independent of one's will; not by one's own choice:

   an involuntary listener; involuntary servitude.

2. unintentional; unconscious:

   an involuntary gesture.

   Synonyms: instinctive

   Antonyms: intentional

3. Physiology. acting independently of or done or occurring without volition:

   involuntary muscles.

   Synonyms: uncontrolled, reflex

involuntary

/ -trɪ; ɪnˈvɒləntərɪ /

adjective

1. carried out without one's conscious wishes; not voluntary; unintentional
2. physiol (esp of a movement or muscle) performed or acting without conscious control

involuntary

/ ĭn-vŏl′ən-tĕr′ē /

1. Not under conscious control. Most of the biological processes in animals that are vital to life, such as contraction of the heart, blood flow, breathing, and digestion, are involuntary and controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

Derived Forms

• inˈvoluntarily, adverb
• inˈvoluntariness, noun

Other Words From

• in·vol·un·tar·i·ly [in-, vol, -, uh, n-ter-, uh, -lee, -vol-, uh, n-, tair, -], adverb
• in·volun·tari·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of involuntary¹

From the Late Latin word involuntārius, dating back to 1525–35. See in- ³, voluntary

Synonym Study

See automatic.

Example Sentences

Proposition 6 — which would ban “involuntary servitude” as punishment for a crime — lacked majority support in deep-blue California on Wednesday even as supporters promoted it as a way to end what they call modern-day slavery.

From Los Angeles Times

This marks the second failed attempt to ban involuntary servitude and mandatory work requirements for state prisoners.

From Los Angeles Times

The measure would eliminate “involuntary servitude” from the state Constitution, which currently bans slavery and involuntary servitude except as a punishment for crime.

From Los Angeles Times

California is one of eight states that still allow involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.

From Los Angeles Times

This is part of a national move to ban involuntary servitude in states whose constitutions still indicate the practice is legal.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compulsory
• forced
• spontaneous
• uncontrolled
• unintentional