unconstitutional

play

adjective un·con·sti·tu·tion·al \ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-shnəl, -ˈtyü-, -shə-n^əl\

Definition of unconstitutional

: not according or consistent with the constitution of a body politic (such as a nation) an unconstitutional infringement on rights

unconstitutionality

play \ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē, -ˌtyü-\ noun

unconstitutionally

adverb

See unconstitutional defined for English-language learners

See unconstitutional defined for kids

Examples of unconstitutional in a Sentence

an unconstitutional infringement of rights
The law may be unconstitutional.

Recent Examples of unconstitutional from the Web

A civil liberties group pledged a court challenge in Arkansas, saying the monument showed an unconstitutional government preference for a certain religion.

— steve barnes, Alaska Dispatch News, "Man arrested for smashing Ten Commandments monument at Arkansas Capitol", 28 June 2017
Should PASPA be ruled unconstitutional, a number of other states could add sports wagering.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "Supreme Court will review New Jersey's proposed sports gambling law", 27 June 2017
While the case is pending, the nation's high court has reinstated parts of the ban after lower courts declared it unconstitutional and struck it down.

— indystar, Indianapolis Star, "Impact of travel ban on Indiana refugees unclear", 26 June 2017
Critics said that language demonstrated an unconstitutional bias toward Christian immigrants.

— erik larson, Bloomberg.com, "Travel Ban Ruling Begs Question: What's ‘Bona Fide’ Tie to U.S.?", 26 June 2017
Count that as a missed opportunity for the Court to brush back burdensome regulations that often amount to unconstitutional takings.

— WSJ, "A Taking by Any Other Name", 23 June 2017
The last major tax increase in Kentucky happened in 1990, and that passed only after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that the state public school system was unconstitutional.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Gov. Matt Bevin faces tough sell on tax reform, even among Republican allies", 23 June 2017
The judge found the petition measure was unconstitutional.

— lynn horsley, kansascity.com, "KC downtown convention hotel operator will be Loews, not Hyatt", 21 June 2017
Those of fiendish or mischievous mind will have an easier time registering trademarks after the Supreme Court on Monday decided to reject as unconstitutional a rule against disparaging ones.

— eriq gardner, Billboard, "Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of The Slants In Disparaging Trademark Ruling", 19 June 2017

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

First Known Use of unconstitutional

1734

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

UNCONSTITUTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

unconstitutional

play

adjective

Definition of unconstitutional for English Language Learners

: not allowed by the constitution of a country or government : not constitutional

UNCONSTITUTIONAL Defined for Kids

unconstitutional

play

adjective un·con·sti·tu·tion·al \ˌən-ˌkän-stə-ˈtü-shə-n^əl, -ˈtyü-\

Definition of unconstitutional for Students

: not according to or agreeing with the constitution of a country or government

Law Dictionary

unconstitutional

play

adjective un·con·sti·tu·tion·al \ˌən-ˌkän-stə-ˈtü-shə-nəl, -ˈtyü-\

Legal Definition of unconstitutional

: 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