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involuntary tendency

[ɪnˈvɒləntəri ˈtɛndənsi]
nounfemininepl: involuntary tendencies / tendências involuntárias
tendência involuntária
1. A natural inclination or predisposition to act or behave in a certain way without conscious control or deliberate intention
His involuntary tendency to fidget during presentations was a source of embarrassment.
Sua tendência involuntária de se mexer durante apresentações era uma fonte de constrangimento.
2. An automatic or reflexive inclination that occurs without willful decision-making
The involuntary tendency to blink protects our eyes from harm.
A tendência involuntária de piscar protege nossos olhos de danos.
Synonyms
automatic inclinationinstinctive predispositionreflexive tendencyunconscious habitnatural inclination
Antonyms
voluntary choicedeliberate actionconscious decisionintentional behavior

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tendência involuntária
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
tendência involuntária / propensão automática
Both terms commonly used in formal contexts
Portugal
tendência involuntária / propensão automática
Standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

force of habit
creature of habit
second nature
knee-jerk reaction
gut instinct
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