constitutionalize

verb

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ize ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-shnə-ˌlīz How to pronounce constitutionalize (audio)
-shə-nə-ˌlīz,
-ˈtyü-
constitutionalized; constitutionalizing

transitive verb

: to provide with a constitution : organize along constitutional principles
constitutionalization noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Eleanor Roosevelt became First Lady, Ginsburg bore witness to, argued for, and helped to constitutionalize the most hard-fought and least-appreciated revolution in modern American history: the emancipation of women. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2020 The initial draft included a proposal to also constitutionalize the right to contraception. Constant Méheut, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Nov. 2022 All of these have been one-offs, rather than part of efforts to constitutionalize political revolutions. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2022 Another problem for the North Carolina lawmakers—and for the Supreme Court justices who are ready to constitutionalize the ISL theory—is how North Carolina’s election laws are currently written. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 4 Aug. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constitutionalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of constitutionalize was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near constitutionalize

Cite this Entry

“Constitutionalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitutionalize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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