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View synonyms for

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

    involuntary muscles.

    Synonyms: ,


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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

involuntary

  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.

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Other Word Forms

  • involuntarily adverb
  • involuntariness noun
  • ˈDZܲԳٲ adverb
  • ˈDZܲԳٲԱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of involuntary1

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body, and so symptons can include involuntary shaking, slow movement, and stiff and inflexible muscles; as well as depression and anxiety.

From

A jury found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins’ death following a dramatic two-week trial last year in Santa Fe.

From

Baldwin — who was cleared in July of an involuntary manslaughter charge brought by New Mexico prosecutors — plays a rough-hewn outlaw, Harland Rust.

From

After reviewing the images, I see that this gesture was completely involuntary on the part of the prop.

From

These include difficulty concentrating, depression, stumbling and clumsiness, involuntary jerking of the limbs and body, mood swings and personality changes, problems swallowing, speaking and breathing.

From

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