involuntary
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for involuntary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Done without conscious control or against one's will.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
nonvoluntary
unvoluntary
Antonyms
How to use involuntary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
involuntary reflex
involuntary reaction
involuntary manslaughter
Etymology
From Late Latin involuntarius, from in- ("not") + voluntarius ("voluntary").
Full origin of involuntary →Frequently asked questions
What does “involuntary” mean?
The word “involuntary” means done without conscious control or against one's will. In plain terms, happening automatically or against your will, rather than something you choose to do.
How do you pronounce “involuntary”?
“Involuntary” is pronounced ihn-VOL-uhn-tree (/ɪnˈvɑ.lənˌtɛɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “involuntary” in a sentence?
Here is “involuntary” used in a sentence: “Blinking is mostly an involuntary reflex.”
What is another word for “involuntary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “involuntary” include unintended and unvoluntary.
What part of speech is “involuntary”?
“Involuntary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “involuntary” come from?
The word “involuntary” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin involuntarius, from in- ("not") + voluntarius ("voluntary").
Is “involuntary” a common word?
“Involuntary” is an uncommon word in modern English.
