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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for unconstitutional 

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 30 Jan. 2025.

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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