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as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice participation in the resort's recreational activities is strictly voluntary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word voluntary different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of voluntary are deliberate, intentional, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

Where would deliberate be a reasonable alternative to voluntary?

While the synonyms deliberate and voluntary are close in meaning, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is it sensible to use intentional instead of voluntary?

Although the words intentional and voluntary have much in common, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When could willing be used to replace voluntary?

The synonyms willing and voluntary are sometimes interchangeable, but willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of voluntary But Cortes last week cited the trio’s lack of a criminal record, willingness to pay restitution and their voluntary participation in community service in dismissing the charges. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2025 The administration has actively encouraged undocumented individuals to self-deport, viewing voluntary departures as proof that its policies are working. Laura Romero, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2025 Ben's Original is initiating a voluntary recall in the United States for some of its heat-and-eat rice products, because some of the packages may be contaminated with small stones, which could cause injury. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025 The voluntary donation collected from visitors in the name of the foundation s supporting the improvement of health and education of the Namche area. Bhadra Sharma, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voluntary
Adjective
  • Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups.
    Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
  • That’s noteworthy for a show based at a high-school auditorium in Litchfield and run by a staff that is almost entirely volunteer, including the show’s star and its producer.
    Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2022
Adjective
  • But our skin tones aren’t optional features.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
  • An optional vintage car tour through the historic center of Turin and a lunch at the storied Ristorante del Cambio will be offered the next day.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, Stewart has made a conscious decision to go back to her natural color for fall 2025.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This is especially true with the sun entering Scorpio, and your socially conscious 11th house of associations, community and sense of belonging in the world.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Those willing to put in the time (and those who aren't easily wigged out) may find to their confused delight that Tippett is the maddest creative god of them all.
    Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Whether the President will be willing to shift gears, which even some of his traditional Republican allies are suggesting, is unclear.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The tactic, analysts say, is deliberate – part of a broader effort to wear down Taiwan’s air force, degrade equipment and exhaust Taiwan’s personnel.
    Eryk Michael Smith, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Every detail feels deliberate yet easy and unforced.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That was a 109-mph missile over the center field fence, much higher than its intended target and hundreds of feet farther.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Ratified in 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment is short, a mere fifty words including the section headings, but with a large intended effect.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Every frame of the film feels intentional, capturing the river and forests of the Amazon with great attention to the light and sounds of the region.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
  • That’s how intentional and curated the event felt.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Given no choice, María Ángeles acquiesces to her daughter’s wishes and moves into the seniors’ home, where a hilarious exchange with a hairdresser wanting to chop off her long silver tresses typifies her iron-willed refusal to settle in.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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