constitutionalist
gb/kənstɪtˈuʃənəlɪst/ us/kənstɪtˈuʃənəlɪst/
C1
English
alkotmányosság híve, konstitucionalista, alkotmányjogász, alkotmányos, alkotmányelvű
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a constitutionalist
As a constitutionalist, she argued that emergency powers must still be checked by the courts.
Az alkotmányosság híveként amellett érvelt, hogy a rendkívüli hatásköröket továbbra is bírósági kontrollnak kell alávetni.
The senator described himself as a constitutionalist who wanted to limit executive power.
A szenátor úgy jellemezte magát, mint az alkotmányosság hívét, aki korlátozni akarja a végrehajtó hatalmat.
Constitutionalists warned that the new law gave the government powers not allowed by the constitution.
Learner examples
He is a constitutionalist and supports limits on the president's power.
Ő az alkotmányosság híve, és támogatja az elnöki hatalom korlátozását.
Constitutionalists say the government must follow the constitution.
Az alkotmányosság hívei szerint a kormánynak követnie kell az alkotmányt.
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean simply a patriotic person; it refers specifically to constitutional rules and limits on government.
Meaning
supporter of constitutional government
Collocations
committed constitutionalist
|liberal constitutionalist
|conservative constitutionalist
|American constitutionalist
|constitutionalists argue
|constitutionalists believe
|constitutionalists insist
|constitutionalists support
Synonyms
constitutional democrat (emphasizes democracy under constitutional rules)
|
pro-constitution advocate (clearer but less formal and less established)
|
legalist (focuses on strict adherence to law generally, not necessarily a constitution)
Antonyms
authoritarian (supports strong centralized power with fewer constitutional limits)
|
absolutist (supports unlimited or near-unlimited political authority)
|
anti-constitutionalist (directly opposes constitutional government or constitutional limits)
Themes
politics
|law
|government
Definition
A person who believes a country should be governed according to its constitution.
A person who supports constitutional government and believes political power should be limited and exercised according to a constitution.
NOUN
C2
LEGAL
2
Usage pattern:
a [nationality] constitutionalist; a leading constitutionalist
Several leading constitutionalists questioned whether the reform could survive judicial review.
Több vezető alkotmányjogász is megkérdőjelezte, hogy a reform kiállná-e a bírósági felülvizsgálatot.
The newspaper asked a constitutionalist to explain the limits of presidential power.
Az újság egy alkotmányjogászt kért fel, hogy magyarázza el az elnöki hatalom korlátait.
As a respected constitutionalist, he has advised governments on electoral reform.
Learner examples
A constitutionalist explained the court's decision on TV.
Egy alkotmányjogász a tévében magyarázta el a bíróság döntését.
She is a constitutionalist who teaches law.
Ő alkotmányjogász, és jogot tanít.
Common mistake:
This meaning refers to expertise, not necessarily to the person's political views.
Meaning
constitutional law expert
Collocations
leading constitutionalist
|eminent constitutionalist
|prominent constitutionalist
|respected constitutionalist
|constitutional lawyer
|constitutional scholar
|legal constitutionalist
Synonyms
constitutional scholar (emphasizes academic study)
|
constitutional lawyer (emphasizes legal practice or legal training)
|
constitutional law expert (clear explanatory phrase)
Antonyms
layperson (someone without specialist legal knowledge)
|
nonexpert (someone who lacks expertise in the field)
Themes
law
|government
|academia
|politics
Definition
A person who studies or knows a lot about constitutional law.
An expert, scholar, or lawyer who specializes in constitutional law or constitutional government.
C2
FORMAL
3
alkotmányos
B2
Usage pattern:
constitutionalist [movement/party/position/principles]
The uprising began as a constitutionalist movement demanding limits on royal power.
A felkelés alkotmányos mozgalomként indult, amely a királyi hatalom korlátozását követelte.
The party tried to present itself as a moderate, constitutionalist alternative.
A párt mérsékelt, alkotmányos alternatívaként próbálta bemutatni magát.
Her speech appealed to constitutionalist principles of legality and accountability.
Learner examples
They supported a constitutionalist movement.
Egy alkotmányos mozgalmat támogattak.
The party has a constitutionalist platform.
A pártnak alkotmányos programja van.
Common mistake:
Use constitutional for the broader meaning “related to or allowed by a constitution”; use constitutionalist mainly for an ideology, movement, or person that actively supports constitutional government.
Meaning
supporting constitutional principles
Collocations
constitutionalist movement
|constitutionalist party
|constitutionalist principles
|constitutionalist position
|constitutionalist argument
|constitutionalist tradition
|constitutionalist reform
Synonyms
constitutional (broader; can mean simply related to a constitution or allowed by it)
|
pro-constitutional (more explicit but less common)
|
constitutional-democratic (emphasizes both constitutional limits and democracy)
Antonyms
authoritarian (opposes or weakens constitutional limits on power)
|
absolutist (supports unlimited central authority)
|
anti-constitutional (opposed to or inconsistent with a constitution)
Themes
politics
|law
|government
Definition
Supporting the idea that government must follow a constitution.
Supporting, based on, or characteristic of constitutional government or constitutional principles.
Grammar
Dictionary form
constitutionalist
IPA
GB/kənstɪtˈuʃənəlɪst/
US/kənstɪtˈuʃənəlɪst/
Syllables & stress
con - sti - tu - tion - al - ist (6 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: constitutionalist
- Comparative: constitutionalister
- Superlative: constitutionalistest
Noun
- Base: constitutionalist
- Plural: constitutionalists
Expressions
strict constitutionalist
1/stɹˈɪkt kənstɪtˈuʃənəlɪst/
fixed phrase
formal
strict interpreter of constitution
A person who thinks the constitution should be followed very closely and should limit what the government can do.
Examples
- The judge is often described as a strict constitutionalist because she gives great weight to the text of the constitution.
- He campaigned as a strict constitutionalist who opposed broad federal powers.
- Strict constitutionalists argued that the measure exceeded the powers granted to Congress.
Learner examples
- She is a strict constitutionalist.
- A strict constitutionalist wants the government to follow the constitution closely.