Word
unconstitutional
Phoneticsun·con·sti·tu·tion·al, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌənˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənəɫ/
UK/ʌnkˌɒnstɪtjˈuːʃənəl/
Definition
adj. not allowed by the set of rules that a country or organization follows. If a law or action is unconstitutional, it is illegal because it goes against the constitution.
adj. not in accordance with the political constitution of a state or the governing principles of an organization. Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun referring to legislation or executive actions.
Examples
“The court ruled that the new law was unconstitutional.”
“Civil rights lawyers argued that the police search was unconstitutional because it violated the right to privacy.”
“The supreme court has the power to strike down any executive order it deems unconstitutional, ensuring that the government remains within its legal boundaries.”
Examples
simple
“The court ruled that the new law was unconstitutional.”
contextual
“Civil rights lawyers argued that the police search was unconstitutional because it violated the right to privacy.”
complex
“The supreme court has the power to strike down any executive order it deems unconstitutional, ensuring that the government remains within its legal boundaries.”
Usage
Typically used as a predicative adjective after 'be' or 'deem', or as an attributive adjective before nouns like 'law', 'act', or 'measure'.
Real-World Examples
“Then, also in 2023, the US supreme court ruled that race-conscious admissions policies in higher education were unconstitutional , opening the floodgates for legal challenges against DEI policies in other places, including the workplace.” “Alabama had largely switched to a new experimental method, nitrogen gas, but that was halted by a federal judge in June on grounds that it was unconstitutional.” “The suit argues that selling priority access to the president's messages raises serious concerns , external , describing it as "extraordinary, corrupt and unconstitutional".” Etymology
From un- + constitutional.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unconstitutional