involuntarily
/ɪnˈvɒləntrəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˌvɑːlənˈterəli/ (ame, ipa) · /(¦)in ən+/ (ame, mw)
involuntarily — adverb
1. happening with no real choice or control, either because your body reacts on its
happening with no real choice or control, either because your body reacts on its own or because someone else decides it for you
When the doctor tapped his knee, Arjun involuntarily kicked the air.
involuntarily + body reaction after a trigger
Bao involuntarily stepped back when the pan burst into flames.
involuntarily + sudden physical reaction
After the sale, Felix was involuntarily moved to the night shift.
Nala laughed involuntarily when the puppy sneezed on her shoe.
Two workers involuntarily lost their jobs after the factory lost its biggest order.
- unwillingly
shows that a person does not want to do something, but still keeps conscious control of the action
- reluctantly
adds hesitation or inner resistance before the person finally does the action
- automatically
focuses on habit or mechanics, not on missing choice or outside pressure
- instinctively
suggests a fast natural reaction rather than a forced situation
- voluntarily
formal opposite; by free choice rather than by force or loss of control
- willingly
adds a positive attitude, not just the presence of choice
- deliberately
done on purpose and under conscious control
文法句型
involuntarily + react / move / laugh
be involuntarily + moved / retired / separated
用法筆記
Often used in two patterns: with body reactions that happen on their own, and with passive or result verbs for situations forced on someone. If the person still chooses the action but does not want to do it, reluctantly or unwillingly is usually better.