unconstitutional

adjective

un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nəl 

-ˈtyü-

: not according or consistent with the constitution of a body politic (such as a nation)

an unconstitutional infringement on rights

unconstitutionality

ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

-ˌtyü-

noun

unconstitutionally adverb

Examples of unconstitutional in a Sentence

an unconstitutional infringement of rights

The law may be unconstitutional.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Coalition for Independent Technology Research sued the administration on March 9, alleging actions taken against noncitizens based on work in content moderation is unconstitutional censorship. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026

The government also argued the court should limit any ruling to the specific plaintiffs rather than weigh whether the laws are unconstitutional in all situations, and that visa revocations are largely immune from court challenges under federal law. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

Both argued that the use of rap lyrics in the trial was unconstitutional. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026

Federal courts declared the Kansas law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn’t been enforced since 2018. —ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unconstitutional

• noninstitutional
• attributional
• constitutional
• convolutional
• distributional
• institutional
• involutional
• substitutional
• interinstitutional

Kids Definition

unconstitutional

adjective

un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)üsh-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

: not according to or agreeing with the constitution of a state or society

unconstitutionality

-ˌt(y)ü-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē 

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- 

: 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

-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē, -ˌtyü- 

noun

unconstitutionally adverb