ultra vires
adverb or adjective
ul·tra vi·res
ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ˌ)rēz 
: beyond the scope or in excess of legal power or authority
Examples of ultra vires in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Opponents will likely argue that this order is ultra vires (beyond the President’s authority) and violates borrowers’ rights – including constitutional claims about free speech and equal protection for those targeted.
—
Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
These are ultra vires, unenforcible, unlawful subpoenas, and that committee should never have been formed.
—ABC News, 5 June 2022
The Arkansas Supreme Court said a lawsuit against a state official for injunctive relief can overcome sovereign immunity if the suit adequately pleads the official acted illegally, unconstitutionally, or ultra vires.
—Stephen Simpson, Arkansas Online, 14 Apr. 2022
Courts have struck down USCIS’s interpretations and guidance as ultra vires to Congressional intent and have blocked efforts to enshrine these policies in regulation. . . .
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022
An ultra vires act is one taken beyond an entity's legal authority.
—Lara Farrar, Arkansas Online, 25 Nov. 2021
Moreover, the Executive Order exceeds the President’s authority and is therefore ultra vires and void ab initio.
—Eriq Gardner, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2020
That strikes me as ultra vires; liberals can’t stir more poison into the pot.
—The Economist, 4 Dec. 2019
So these regulations are ultra vires and the courts should strike them down.
—WSJ, 11 Apr. 2018
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.
Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
These are ultra vires, unenforcible, unlawful subpoenas, and that committee should never have been formed.
—ABC News, 5 June 2022
The Arkansas Supreme Court said a lawsuit against a state official for injunctive relief can overcome sovereign immunity if the suit adequately pleads the official acted illegally, unconstitutionally, or ultra vires.
—Stephen Simpson, Arkansas Online, 14 Apr. 2022
Courts have struck down USCIS’s interpretations and guidance as ultra vires to Congressional intent and have blocked efforts to enshrine these policies in regulation. . . .
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022
An ultra vires act is one taken beyond an entity's legal authority.
—Lara Farrar, Arkansas Online, 25 Nov. 2021
Moreover, the Executive Order exceeds the President’s authority and is therefore ultra vires and void ab initio.
—Eriq Gardner, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2020
That strikes me as ultra vires; liberals can’t stir more poison into the pot.
—The Economist, 4 Dec. 2019
So these regulations are ultra vires and the courts should strike them down.
—WSJ, 11 Apr. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Ultra vires.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultra%20vires. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
ultra vires
adverb or adjective
ul·tra vi·res
ˈəl-trə-ˈvī-ˌrēz, ˈu̇l-trä-ˈvē-ˌrās
: beyond the scope or in excess of legal power or authority (as of a corporation)
the agency acted ultra vires
the agreement was ultra vires
compare intra vires
Etymology
Latin, beyond the power or means (of)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share