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

Hasina, 78, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, issued a statement from hiding in India decrying an "illegal and unconstitutional election".

From Barron's

Shah wrote that while he may not have jurisdiction to block a simple grant termination, he did have jurisdiction to halt an administration directive to terminate funding based on unconstitutional grounds.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month the Supreme Court ended the contract on grounds that laws which allowed CK Hutchison Holdings to operate two of the five ports of the canal were "unconstitutional."

From Barron's

Last month, the Supreme Court ended the contract on grounds that laws which allowed CK Hutchison Holdings to operate two of the five ports of the canal were "unconstitutional."

From Barron's

In 2018 the Supreme Court ruled that the federal prohibition against sports betting was unconstitutional.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• illegitimate
• unlawful
• wrongful