unconstitutional

adjective

un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
-ˈtyü-
Synonyms of unconstitutionalnext
: not according or consistent with the constitution of a body politic (such as a nation)
an unconstitutional infringement on rights
unconstitutionality
ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
-ˌtyü-
noun
unconstitutionally adverb

Examples of unconstitutional in a Sentence

an unconstitutional infringement of rights The law may be unconstitutional.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plaintiffs are asking the court to declare Regulation 110(3) unconstitutional, block Nuñez and Duart from enforcing it against ICEBreakers members, and award compensatory and punitive damages against Rodriguez, Parra and Hamilton. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 In 1973, the Supreme Court held that the Constitution contained no right to education and that a funding disparity among school districts in Texas was not unconstitutional. — Quinn Yeargain, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 The department argued that several Connecticut laws conflict with the federal statute and thus are unconstitutional under the Constitution’s supremacy clause. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 During a daylong hearing, Rybakov said there was no evidence to support the allegations and described the case as an unconstitutional attack on freedom of thought by political opponents seeking to clear the field of rivals. — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unconstitutional

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unconstitutional was in 1734

Rhymes for unconstitutional

See All Rhymes for unconstitutional

Browse Nearby Words

unconstellated
unconstitutional
unconstrained
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unconstitutional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unconstitutional. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unconstitutional

adjective
un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)üsh-nəl How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
: not according to or agreeing with the constitution of a state or society
unconstitutionality
-ˌt(y)ü-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
noun
unconstitutionally
-ˈt(y)üsh-nə-lē, 
-ən-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Legal Definition

unconstitutional

adjective
un·​con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌən-ˌkän-stə-ˈtü-shə-nəl, -ˈtyü- How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
: contrary to or failing to comply with a constitution
especially : violative of a person's rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution
an unconstitutional search and seizure
unconstitutionality
-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē, -ˌtyü- How to pronounce unconstitutional (audio)
noun
unconstitutionally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unconstitutional

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unconstitutional

Nglish: Translation of unconstitutional for Spanish Speakers

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