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

In June 2025, a Franklin County judge declared EdChoice unconstitutional. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Scott McNutt of Robbinsville, New Jersey, argues that the ban, which was put in place to thwart tax evasion, is unconstitutional. — Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

The House of Representatives passed their own bill earlier this year to increase public access to legislative records, but DiZoglio has called it unconstitutional. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

The Court was right to enjoin the White House from enforcing this 'unconstitutional ban on the free press' for the foreseeable future. — Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 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