unconstitutional

adjective

un·con·sti·tu·tion·al | \ ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-shnəl

How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)

, -ˈtyü-, -shə-nᵊl\

Definition of unconstitutional

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

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Examples of unconstitutional in a Sentence

an unconstitutional infringement of rights The law may be unconstitutional.

Recent Examples on the Web

But that does not mean the practice is unconstitutional. — The Economist, "The Supreme Court wraps up its term, inching to the right," 5 July 2019 That additional sentence, Gorsuch wrote, was unconstitutional because it wasn’t handed down by a jury. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Supreme Court Steps to the Right," 1 July 2019 In filing the lawsuit, the groups hope that a judge will decide that Georgia’s law is unconstitutional and block it from taking effect as scheduled on Jan. 1, 2020. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Abortion Advocates File Lawsuit Challenging Georgia Heartbeat Law," 28 June 2019 In May, a three-judge federal panel unanimously ruled that Ohio’s gerrymandered congressional map is unconstitutional, and ordered the creation of a new map in time for the 2020 election. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com, "Supreme Court refuses to invalidate gerrymandered congressional districts in cases likely to affect Ohio," 27 June 2019 But Owen’s attorneys saw a new chance to save his life after 2016 U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court rulings that the state’s process for sentencing people to death was unconstitutional. — Marc Freeman, sun-sentinel.com, "Death sentences under review for man who raped and killed Boca mom and Delray babysitter," 27 June 2019 This goes all the way up to the Supreme Court, and what the Supreme Court says is that the Los Angeles ordinance is unconstitutional. — Adi Robertson, The Verge, "Why the internet’s most important law exists and how people are still getting it wrong," 21 June 2019 Opponents also argued that holding people based on an immigration detainer was unconstitutional. — NBC News, "Advocates say Florida governor 'sanctuary bill' politically motivated," 16 June 2019 Opponents also argued that holding people based on an immigration detainer was unconstitutional. — Brendan Farrington, chicagotribune.com, "Florida governor signs bill banning sanctuary policies," 14 June 2019

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.

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Last Updated

7 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for unconstitutional

The first known use of unconstitutional was in 1734

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More Definitions for unconstitutional

unconstitutional

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of unconstitutional

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

See the full definition for unconstitutional in the English Language Learners Dictionary

unconstitutional

adjective

un·con·sti·tu·tion·al | \ ˌən-ˌkän-stə-ˈtü-shə-nᵊl

, -ˈtyü-\

Kids Definition of unconstitutional

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

unconstitutional

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

Other Words from unconstitutional

unconstitutionality \ -ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē, -ˌtyü-

\ noun

unconstitutionally adverb

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