unconstitutional

adjective

un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
-ˈtyü-
Synonyms of unconstitutionalnext
: not according or consistent with the constitution of a body politic (such as a nation)
an unconstitutional infringement on rights
unconstitutionality noun
unconstitutionally adverb

Examples of unconstitutional in a Sentence

an unconstitutional infringement of rights The law may be unconstitutional.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The notice formalized a Supreme Court ruling last month that the concessions for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals near the Panama Canal, which Panama Port Company (PPC), a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, had held for more than two decades, were unconstitutional. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026 Panama’s government seized two strategic ports at the Panama Canal after the Supreme Court ruled a Hong Kong company’s operating contract unconstitutional. Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026 That order is possibly unconstitutional, said Carmel Shachar, a health policy scholar at Harvard Law School. Darius Tahir, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026 Now, the administration is also facing pushback from two Colorado utilities, which say the federal government's order is both unnecessary and unconstitutional. Sam Brasch, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unconstitutional

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unconstitutional was in 1734

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unconstitutional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unconstitutional. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

unconstitutional

adjective
un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)üsh-nəl How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
: not according to or agreeing with the constitution of a state or society
unconstitutionality noun
unconstitutionally
-ˈt(y)üsh-nə-lē
-ən-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Legal Definition

unconstitutional

adjective
un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän-stə-ˈtü-shə-nəl, -ˈtyü- How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
: 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
unconstitutionality noun
unconstitutionally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unconstitutional

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