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

Siding with several Republican candidates, a 2-1 majority said the use of 2022 map was unconstitutional because the primary elections were held under the new map. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

The 2-1 decision rejected Anthropic’s argument that the Department of Defense’s ban on its Claude models was arbitrary, unauthorized and unconstitutional. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Pike’s unsuccessful appeals have alleged ineffective assistance of counsel and argued that executing her would be unconstitutional because of her mental illness, according to court documents. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Banning credible press outlets such as CNN, MS NOW and Politico from our people’s house, also known as the White House, is unlawful and unconstitutional and leads to the destruction of our democracy. — Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 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