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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
SpaceX responded with a lawsuit saying the structure of the NLRB is unconstitutional. David Ingram, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024 The law has been blocked since 2013 due to a separate Supreme Court ruling that determined Prop 8 was unconstitutional. Kate Sosin, Them, 5 Nov. 2024 Proposition 136: Suing over citizen initiatives This ballot measure changes when groups that oppose citizen initiatives can file lawsuits alleging the initiatives are unconstitutional. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Last summer, the Supreme Court decided that Alabama’s congressional maps, which only had one majority-Black district, were unconstitutional. Abc News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024 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 14 Nov. 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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