1
as in volunteer
done, made, or given with one's own free will
a voluntary contribution to the school's fund-raising drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in conscious
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
the legal distinctions between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of voluntary
Mackenzie sued, arguing that under the Constitution, her American birth gave her citizenship as a right, not a privilege, to be removed only as punishment for a crime or through voluntary expatriation.
—
Marcia Biederman, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
The voluntary recall issued on June 17 warned that potential undeclared milk allergens pose health risks to some with allergies or severe sensitivity to milk.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 12 July 2025
This is a voluntary measure that currently covers 60 percent of products and 90 percent of substances, and is not yet adopted by any other company in the industry.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 11 July 2025
That case ended in voluntary dismissal, with each side paying its own attorney’s fees.
—Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Marcia Biederman, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
The voluntary recall issued on June 17 warned that potential undeclared milk allergens pose health risks to some with allergies or severe sensitivity to milk.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 12 July 2025
This is a voluntary measure that currently covers 60 percent of products and 90 percent of substances, and is not yet adopted by any other company in the industry.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 11 July 2025
That case ended in voluntary dismissal, with each side paying its own attorney’s fees.
—Miami Herald, 8 July 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
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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
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Once in the main lounge, La Première customers can now book optional suites with a butler, a spacious living room, a bedroom with a double bed, a bathroom, and even an outdoor patio.—
Michele Robson,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
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Inside, a breathable mesh pocket adds room for silverware, snacks, or an optional ice pack, and the gingham print makes lunch feel like a picnic.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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An adult female and a 16-year-old male were also found shot at the location, but were conscious.—
Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2025
-
The two individuals were conscious when police arrived, while Tarpinian-Jachym was unconscious.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
After having little luck finding a traditional TV outlet willing to double ESPN/ABC’s current $90 million/year deal, F1 seems to have found deliverance by way of its theatrical partner.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 July 2025
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Humanity’s greed reaches its height in the final instance of a father willing to kill his own baby girl.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Great Replacement is a white nationalist conspiracy theory that claims there's a deliberate plot to replace white Americans with non-white immigrants through immigration and higher birth rates.—
Philippa Pham Hughes,
Time,
11 July 2025
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These incidents—stemming from deliberate choices about training and system prompts—represenmt fundamental management and implementation issues that, so far, no fancy-looking test-taking benchmarks have been able to capture.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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When Chan announced his company Changin’ Pictures’ plans for international and pan-Asian co-productions for streamers, this became his intended first series.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 June 2025
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The intended target, gang suspect Joseph Riley, lived nearby.—
Gabe Whisnant
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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One of the ways HR pros can help employees through this time, Smith said, is by training managers to be intentional and empathetic leaders.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
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Visually speaking, Loudon says layered rugs make a patio feel finished and intentional.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Lawson will play Sarah Silver, the strong willed and decisive Superintendent in the Boston Police Department who is Lena’s stepsister.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
2 June 2025
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Carnegie is convinced that sincerity is as easily willed as a ready smile and a memory for names.—
Ann Hulbert,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voluntary. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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