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

Other Word Forms

• unconstitutionalism noun
• unconstitutionality noun
• unconstitutionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unconstitutional¹

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

Example Sentences

They’ve also watched the state’s prison system get labeled unconstitutional by the U.S. government, which petitioned Alabama for sweeping changes in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times

California and other states sued, and a federal judge rejected such preconditions as unconstitutional.

From Los Angeles Times

Just last week, a federal judge ruled that the administration setting immigration-related conditions on similar emergency funding was “arbitrary and capricious,” and unconstitutional.

From Los Angeles Times

The order has been blocked from taking effect by lower court judges after a series of lawsuits which argued it was unconstitutional.

From BBC

He’s also argued that certain cases would have required reversing earlier positions or advancing claims he viewed as unconstitutional.

From Salon

Related Words

• illegitimate 
• unlawful 
• wrongful