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constitutionalism

[kon-sti-too-shuh-nl-iz-uhm, -tyoo-]

noun

  1. the principles of constitutional government or adherence to them.

  2. constitutional rule or authority.



constitutionalism

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. the principles, spirit, or system of government in accord with a constitution, esp a written constitution

  2. adherence to or advocacy of such a system or such principles

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • constitutionalist noun
  • anticonstitutionalism noun
  • hyperconstitutionalism noun
  • proconstitutionalism noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of constitutionalism1

First recorded in 1825–35; constitutional + -ism
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Until just a few years ago, the majority of justices would have agreed that the proper way to read the Constitution was as an evolving document, an approach usually described as living constitutionalism.

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Perhaps the largest events were the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation, a putative victory for democracy and constitutionalism.

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Anyone who hopes to preserve the sanctity of the civil-military ideal would do well to circle the wagons of law and constitutionalism and man the ramparts of institutional self-preservation.

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He has spent the last four years honing plans — and legal justifications — for the expansive use of executive power that Trump wants and that Vought refers to as “radical constitutionalism.”

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Your book goes beyond a critique of originalism to advance an alternative you call "inclusive constitutionalism," rooted most powerfully in the Reconstruction amendments.

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Constitutional Democratic Partyconstitutionalist