unconstitutional

American  

[uhn-kon-sti-too-shuh-nl, -tyoo-] / ˌʌn kɒn stɪˈtu ʃə nl, -ˈtyu- /

adjective

1. not constitutional; unauthorized by or inconsistent with the constitution, as of a country.

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unconstitutional British  

/ ˌʌnkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəl /

adjective

1. at variance with or not permitted by a constitution

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Other Word Forms

• unconstitutionalism noun
• unconstitutionality noun
• unconstitutionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of unconstitutional

First recorded in 1735–45; un- ¹ + constitutional

Example Sentences

Ahmed faces the "imminent prospect of unconstitutional arrest, punitive detention, and expulsion" from the United States, the court filing said.

From Barron's

Cooper, calling the measure the “the same unconstitutional legislation in another package,” swiftly filed another legal challenge.

From Salon

Johnson & Johnson said it would appeal the verdict, which it called “egregious and patently unconstitutional.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The court also announced that it had declared as unconstitutional a law adopted in April requiring NGOs to declare who funds them and reveal the identities of their biggest donors and their members.

From Barron's

The municipality has filed multiple lawsuits in recent years that argue the tax is unconstitutional.

From Barron's

Related Words

• illegitimate
• unlawful
• wrongful