INVOLUNTARY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does involuntary mean? 

• INVOLUNTARY (adjective)
  The adjective INVOLUNTARY has 2 senses:

1. not subject to the control of the will

2. controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control

  Familiarity information: INVOLUNTARY used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INVOLUNTARY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not subject to the control of the will

Synonyms:

involuntary; nonvoluntary; unvoluntary

Context example:

It (becoming a hero) was involuntary. They sank my boat

Similar:

driven; goaded (compelled forcibly by an outside agency)

forced (forced or compelled)

unconscious (without conscious volition)

unwilled (without deliberate volition, desire, or intention)

unwilling (in spite of contrary volition)

Also:

unconscious (not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead)

unwilling (not disposed or inclined toward)

Antonym:

voluntary (of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control

Context example:

gave an involuntary start

Similar:

automatic; reflex; reflexive (without volition or conscious control)

autonomic (relating to or controlled by the autonomic nervous system)

vegetative (relating to involuntary bodily functions)

Domain category:

physiology (the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms)

Antonym:

voluntary (controlled by individual volition)

 Context examples 

“But it is dark in here,” she said the next moment, her shoulders shrinking with a little involuntary shiver.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

This results in a relaxation of bladder smooth muscle, a reduction of involuntary muscle contractions and delays the initial desire to void.

(Esoxybutynin Chloride, NCI Thesaurus)

Current medicines often leave patients with involuntary movements, restlessness, stiffness and 'the shakes'.

(Key to Treating Schizophrenia May Be Found in Broccoli, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

This results in the relaxation of bladder smooth muscle and greater bladder capacity, in addition to a reduction in involuntary muscle contractions and involuntary loss of urine.

(Fesoterodine, NCI Thesaurus)

A condition characterized by focal DYSTONIA that progresses to involuntary spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the legs, trunk, arms, and face.

(Idiopathic Torsion Dystonia, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

An involuntary, primal response in the neonate to grasp the fingers when their palm is touched.

(Grasp Reflex, NCI Thesaurus)

An involuntary muscular contraction involving a muscle of the abdomen or of a hollow organ within the abdomen.

(Abdominal Cramp, NCI Thesaurus)

Symptoms usually follow an acute viral infection or immunization and include fever, confusion, somnolence and involuntary movements.

(Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, NCI Thesaurus)

A document that protects researchers from involuntary disclosure of personal identifying information acquired in the course of a research project.

(Certificate of Confidentiality, NCI Thesaurus)

A disorder characterized by a sudden and involuntary contraction of the bladder wall.

(Bladder Spasm, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)