adj
Uncommon
unconstitutional
Unconstitutional (adj) means conflicting with or forbidden by a country's constitution. Example: “The court ruled the new law unconstitutional.”
adj
1
Conflicting with or forbidden by a country's constitution.
"The court ruled the new law unconstitutional."
"Critics argued the ban was an unconstitutional restriction on free speech."
How to use unconstitutional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAgainst the rules set out in a country's constitution.
Common pairings
ruled unconstitutional
unconstitutional law
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unconstitutional
- Superlative
- most unconstitutional
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The court ruled the new law _____.
Etymology
From un- + constitutional.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unconstitutional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for unconstitutional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “unconstitutional” mean?
The word “unconstitutional” means conflicting with or forbidden by a country's constitution. In plain terms, against the rules set out in a country's constitution.
How do you use “unconstitutional” in a sentence?
Here is “unconstitutional” used in a sentence: “The court ruled the new law unconstitutional.”
What part of speech is “unconstitutional”?
“Unconstitutional” is an adjective.
Is “unconstitutional” a common word?
“Unconstitutional” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between unconstitutional and illegal?
Unconstitutional specifically means conflicting with or forbidden by a country's constitution, the highest law of the land, while illegal more broadly means violating any law, regulation, or statute. A law can be legally passed by a legislature yet still be ruled unconstitutional if it conflicts with the constitution.
Who decides whether something is unconstitutional?
In most systems, courts, often a supreme or constitutional court, have the authority to review laws or government actions and determine whether they are unconstitutional. This judicial review process checks that laws and actions do not conflict with the constitution.
What is the difference between unconstitutional and unlawful?
Unconstitutional refers specifically to a conflict with the constitution, while unlawful is a broader term covering any violation of law, whether constitutional, statutory, or regulatory. Something can be unlawful without necessarily involving a constitutional issue.
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