unconstitutional

adjective

un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nəl 

-ˈtyü-

: not according or consistent with the constitution of a body politic (such as a nation)

an unconstitutional infringement on rights

unconstitutionality

ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

-ˌtyü-

noun

unconstitutionally adverb

Examples of unconstitutional in a Sentence

an unconstitutional infringement of rights

The law may be unconstitutional.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even if Congress attempts to place conditions on their removal, those conditions are unconstitutional. —Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025

In a separate lawsuit, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour ruled Thursday that the order was unconstitutional. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

In 2017, the City of Baltimore was placed under the federal consent decree after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed a pattern of unconstitutional policing. —Alexa Ashwell, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025

In the following year the Arkansas law was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in its decision in Epperson v. Arkansas, and its Mississippi counterpart was similarly ruled to be unconstitutional by the state’s highest court in 1970. —Glenn Branch, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unconstitutional

adjective

un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)üsh-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

: not according to or agreeing with the constitution of a state or society

unconstitutionality

-ˌt(y)ü-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē 

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- 

: 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

-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē, -ˌtyü- 

noun

unconstitutionally adverb