constitutionalism

noun

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ism ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce constitutionalism (audio)
-tyü-
: adherence to or government according to constitutional principles
also : a constitutional system of government
constitutionalist noun

Examples of constitutionalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His malign influence on American constitutionalism is with us still. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024 If Trump’s threat to democracy and American constitutionalism is to be defeated, the effective method would be at the ballot box. Jeffrey Boutwell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2024 Such was the foundation of American constitutionalism and the elaborate checks and balances that defined it. TIME, 31 Jan. 2024 And this is the larger theme of American constitutionalism, that what unites us is not race or religion or loyalty to a person. Time, 15 Aug. 2023 The fix for an excess of constitutionalism commends itself: less constitutionalism. Ian MacDougall, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022 Led by Scalia, conservatives had for decades railed against living constitutionalism as an undisciplined approach that allowed unelected judges to impose their preferences on the populace under the guise of constitutional interpretation. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2023 Will the Right continue to promote freedom, constitutionalism, and American leadership abroad? Matthew Continetti, National Review, 22 Oct. 2022 The new court upholds originalism, which has replaced its rival, living constitutionalism. Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 26 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constitutionalism.' 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

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of constitutionalism was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near constitutionalism

Cite this Entry

“Constitutionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitutionalism. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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