unconstitutional

[ uhn-kon-sti-too-shuh-nl, -tyoo- ]

adjective

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

unconstitutional

/ ˌʌnkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəl /

adjective

1. at variance with or not permitted by a constitution

Derived Forms

• ˌunconstiˌtutionˈality, noun

Other Words From

• uncon·sti·tution·al·ism noun
• uncon·sti·tution·ali·ty noun
• uncon·sti·tution·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unconstitutional¹

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

Example Sentences

A federal judge in 2014 ruled both the amendment and a previous 1975 statute banning marriage for same-sex couples were unconstitutional, yet both have remained on the books.

From Washington Blade

All but a few, however, have been Democrats, as GOP leaders have gone to court to challenge the proxy-voting procedure as unconstitutional.

From Washington Post

A federal appeals court in November ruled bans on conversion therapy for minors in the Florida cities of Boca Raton and Palm Beach are unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

From Washington Blade

That’s true for seditious language violations, an unconstitutional law Voice of San Diego uncovered and City Council subsequently wiped from the books.

From Voice of San Diego

“I would not leave in place yet another potentially unconstitutional decree, even for the next few weeks,” Gorsuch wrote.

From Washington Post

Late in 1956, a federal ruling, Browder v. Gayle, declared segregated buses unconstitutional.

From The Daily Beast

The legal question is whether this constitutes an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power to a private entity.

From The Daily Beast

This was the twenty-ninth consecutive judicial decision in the past 12 months holding that such are laws unconstitutional.

From The Daily Beast

Twenty-nine consecutive judicial decisions in the past year have held bans on gay marriage are unconstitutional.

From The Daily Beast

First, laws that treat people differently from one another without a rational justification are unconstitutional.

From The Daily Beast

It was thought with good reason to be unconstitutional, which would make its application difficult, if not impossible.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. O'Connell denounced the address as "bloody, brutal, and unconstitutional."

From Project Gutenberg

And it was not, nor indeed could it be, carried out except by adopting means which were unconstitutional and disastrous.

From Project Gutenberg

He opposed the committee as unconstitutional, and called upon the Assembly to reject the motion.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless the king's unconstitutional move was successful; the lords rejected the bill.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• illegitimate
• unlawful
• wrongful