Inglês

involuntarily

gb/ˌɪnvˌɑləntˈɚəli/ us/ˌɪnvˌɑləntˈɚəli/
B2 Inglês
~ 7300
Acepções
0 acepção
adverb B2 property
1

without intending or controlling it

When you do something without meaning to and without thinking about it, often because your body reacts by itself.

Padrão de uso: to [verb] involuntarily
Erro comum:
Learners often confuse "involuntarily" with "unwillingly". "Involuntarily" means something happens without intention or control (for example, a reflex or sudden reaction), while "unwillingly" means you do something you do not want to do, but you still choose to do it. Another confusion is with "accidentally": "accidentally" is about not planning something, while "involuntarily" often suggests the body or mind reacts by itself.
Sinônimos
unintentionally (Focuses mainly on lack of intention; does not always suggest an automatic or bodily reaction.) | automatically (Suggests something happens by itself; can be less focused on lack of choice than "involuntarily".)
Antônimos
deliberately (Clearly expresses that something is done with full intention and control, the opposite of involuntary action.) | consciously (Stresses awareness and mental control, contrasting with actions that happen without conscious control.)
Colocações
smile involuntarily |laugh involuntarily |flinch involuntarily |shudder involuntarily |gasp involuntarily |tremble involuntarily
Temas
emotions |body |daily life |health |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • She smiled involuntarily when she heard his voice.
  • He flinched involuntarily as the balloon burst behind him.
  • My eyes filled with tears involuntarily during the sad scene.
  • Her hand moved involuntarily toward the door when she heard the scream.
  • I found myself involuntarily holding my breath as the plane took off.
Exemplos para estudantes
  • She laughed involuntarily when she saw the funny video.
  • He closed his eyes involuntarily when the light got very bright.
  • The child cried involuntarily when he fell down.
  • I shook involuntarily because I was so cold.
  • My hand moved involuntarily when I touched the hot pan.
adverb formal C1 property
2

without consent, under compulsion

Done without a person’s free choice, because they are forced or strongly pressured by other people or by the law.

Padrão de uso: to be [verb]-ed involuntarily
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes use "involuntarily" when they mean "reluctantly" or "unwillingly". "Involuntarily" in this sense usually implies no real choice or consent (often legal or physical force), while "reluctantly" means you choose to do something but do not really want to.
Sinônimos
under duress (Legal/formal phrase that stresses the presence of pressure or threats causing the action.) | against one’s will (More everyday phrase that directly states the lack of consent; slightly less formal than "involuntarily" in legal contexts.)
Antônimos
voluntarily (Direct, common opposite meaning that something is done by free choice and consent.) | willingly (Stresses not only free choice but also a positive or accepting attitude, the opposite of being forced.)
Colocações
involuntarily committed |involuntarily hospitalized |involuntarily relocated |involuntarily displaced |involuntarily retired |involuntarily resettled
Temas
law |society |work |relationships |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • The workers claimed they had been transferred involuntarily to another branch.
  • He was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital after the court hearing.
  • Many residents were involuntarily displaced when the dam project began.
  • Some employees were involuntarily retired due to company downsizing.
  • The refugees were involuntarily resettled far from their home region.
Exemplos para estudantes
  • The man said he was taken to the hospital involuntarily.
  • Many people were moved involuntarily when the new road was built.
  • She lost her job involuntarily because the company closed.
  • They were kept in the camp involuntarily for many months.
  • He joined the army involuntarily because there was no other choice.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
involuntarily
AFI
GB/ˌɪnvˌɑləntˈɚəli/
US/ˌɪnvˌɑləntˈɚəli/
Sílabas e tonicidade
in - vol - un - tar - ily (5 sílabas)
Stress on 4th syllable (tar)
Formas da palavra
Noun
  • Base: involuntarily
  • Plural: involuntarilies
Família de palavras
Forms
involuntarilies noun
Core family
involuntary adjective voluntary adjective B1 voluntarily adverb B2
Related words
volunteer noun A2
Advanced or less common
volition noun
Expressões

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