unconstitutional
gb/ˌʌŋkˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl/ us/ˌʌŋkˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl/
C1
English
~ 9300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
not allowed by the constitution
Not allowed by the main law of a country, called the constitution.
Usage pattern:
[law/action] is (declared/ruled) unconstitutional
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "unconstitutional" with "illegal" and use them as complete synonyms. "Unconstitutional" is used when something conflicts with the constitution itself, while "illegal" is broader and refers to anything that breaks a law. Another common mistake is the incorrect form *"inconstitutional"; the correct word is "unconstitutional".
Synonyms
illegal (More general; covers anything against the law, not only against the constitution specifically.)
|
unlawful (Formal; focuses on being against the law, not necessarily against the constitution in particular.)
Antonyms
constitutional (Direct opposite; means allowed by or consistent with the constitution.)
|
lawful (General opposite; means allowed by law, not in conflict with legal rules.)
Collocations
unconstitutional law
|unconstitutional act
|unconstitutional measure
|declare [something] unconstitutional
|rule [something] unconstitutional
|unconstitutional under the Constitution
Themes
law
|politics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The Supreme Court found the surveillance program unconstitutional.
- Lawyers argued that the new immigration policy was clearly unconstitutional.
- The judge ruled it unconstitutional to ban the group from holding peaceful protests.
- Several states sued, claiming the tax was unconstitutional under the federal constitution.
- The organization challenges laws it believes are unconstitutional restrictions on free speech.
Learner examples
- The court said the new law was unconstitutional.
- Many people think this rule is unconstitutional because it limits free speech.
- If a law is unconstitutional, it must be changed or removed.
- The lawyer plans to call the policy unconstitutional in court.
- They asked the judge to declare the ban unconstitutional.
unknown
informal
C2
property
2
jokingly extremely wrong or unfair
Said in a joking way to mean something is very wrong or unfair, as if it should be against the law of the country.
Usage pattern:
[situation/requirement] is (almost) unconstitutional
Common mistake:
Learners may think this humorous use is literal and legal when it is actually exaggeration. In everyday chat, if people call food portions or school rules "unconstitutional", they usually mean "very unfair" or "too much", not that a court will decide about it.
Synonyms
outrageous (Also expresses strong disapproval, but is not specifically tied to the joke about law or the constitution.)
|
ridiculous (Similar humorous disapproval, but more about something being silly than about fairness or justice.)
Antonyms
totally fair (Emphasizes complete fairness, the opposite of describing something as wildly unfair in a joking way.)
Collocations
almost unconstitutional
|basically unconstitutional
|practically unconstitutional
|borderline unconstitutional
Themes
humor
|opinions
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Making us come in on Saturday after a full week is basically unconstitutional.
- This tiny portion of fries is so small it's unconstitutional.
- Starting a meeting at 7 a.m. on a Monday should be unconstitutional.
- Charging that much for water at a festival feels unconstitutional.
- That much homework over the holiday is practically unconstitutional.
Learner examples
- Waking up this early feels unconstitutional to me.
- These prices are so high they seem unconstitutional.
- Giving us a test the day after vacation is almost unconstitutional.
- The pizza is so small it should be unconstitutional.
- Working every day with no break feels unconstitutional.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unconstitutional
IPA
GB/ˌʌŋkˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl/
US/ˌʌŋkˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl/
Syllables & stress
un - con - sti - tu - tion - al (6 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (tu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unconstitutional
Word family
Core family
Related words
constitute
verb B2
constituent
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unconstitutionally
adverb
Advanced or less common
constitutionality
noun
unconstitutionality
noun
Expressions
declare [something] unconstitutional
1/dɪklˈɛɹ sˈʌmθɪŋ ˌʌŋkˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl/
fixed phrase
formal
formally state a law is unconstitutional
To officially say, usually in a court, that a law or action is not allowed by the constitution.
Examples
- The court declared the travel ban unconstitutional.
- Several parts of the new law were declared unconstitutional by the high court.
hold [something] unconstitutional
1/hˈoʊld sˈʌmθɪŋ ˌʌŋkˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl/
fixed phrase
formal
court holds a law unconstitutional
To decide in a written or formal court decision that a law or action is not allowed by the constitution.
Examples
- The appeals court held the statute unconstitutional.
- If the court holds the law unconstitutional, it will no longer be in effect.
rule [something] unconstitutional
1/ɹˈul sˈʌmθɪŋ ˌʌŋkˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl/
fixed phrase
formal
court decides a law is unconstitutional
To decide in a legal case that a law or action is not allowed by the constitution.
Examples
- The Supreme Court ruled the policy unconstitutional.
- A federal judge ruled the ban unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement.