unconstitutional

adjective

un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
-ˈtyü-
: not according or consistent with the constitution of a body politic (such as a nation)
an unconstitutional infringement on rights
unconstitutionality noun
unconstitutionally adverb

Examples of unconstitutional in a Sentence

an unconstitutional infringement of rights The law may be unconstitutional.
Recent Examples on the Web Several people present at internal meetings told me that Johnson had brought up convoluted arguments about the constitutional role of the Senate president pro tempore to object—regretfully—that empowering an interim Speaker would be unconstitutional. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 But many firms backpedal in 2023, and the Supreme Court for the first time rules that preferences based on race in college admissions are unconstitutional. Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 In February, an attorney for Evers sent a letter to the court asking it to retain jurisdiction over the lawsuit that ultimately resulted in the court declaring the Legislature's previous boundaries unconstitutional, making way for the new electoral maps signed into law by the Democratic governor. Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 In June, attorneys for the state of Tennessee asked a federal appeals court to reverse a federal judge’s decision that a state law limiting public drag show performances was unconstitutional. Chandelis Duster, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Labor Board: In the latest sign of a growing backlash within corporate America to the federal agency that enforces labor rights, Amazon argued in a legal filing that the National Labor Relations Board was unconstitutional. Billy Witz, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Even with a conservative majority, the justices of America have opposed Donald Trump’s unconstitutional grabs for power and will soon rule on his claim of absolute presidential immunity. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 SpaceX denied the charges against it and argued the agency itself was unconstitutional. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 Henry’s trip to Kenya came after the African country’s top court ruled that a 2023 agreement to send police officers to Haiti would be unconstitutional because Kenya’s National Police Force cannot be deployed outside of the country and the two nations did not have reciprocal agreements. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unconstitutional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unconstitutional was in 1734

Dictionary Entries Near unconstitutional

Cite this Entry

“Unconstitutional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unconstitutional. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unconstitutional

adjective
un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)üsh-nəl How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
: not according to or agreeing with the constitution of a state or society
unconstitutionality noun
unconstitutionally
-ˈt(y)üsh-nə-lē
-ən-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Legal Definition

unconstitutional

adjective
un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän-stə-ˈtü-shə-nəl, -ˈtyü- How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
: contrary to or failing to comply with a constitution
especially : violative of a person's rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution
an unconstitutional search and seizure
unconstitutionality noun
unconstitutionally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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