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Glite Dictionary
unconstitutionally

unconstitutionally

4 8.8
In a way that goes against a country's basic law
  • adverb
  • /ˌʌnkənˈstɪtʃənəli/
  • Literature
: inconstitucionalmente
  • Its views as a state are unconstitutionally being imposed upon by ridiculous federal laws.
  • unconstitutionally vague
  • unconstitutionally overbroad
  • unconstitutionally delegated

So you mean to tell me as we speak right now, every single North Carolina congressman is unconstitutionally elected?

Examples

  • The regulations are therefore unconstitutionally vague, ruled the court.

    Academic text (2016)

  • The court found that the law unconstitutionally restricted citizens' right to protest peacefully.

  • The more people understand this unconstitutionally criminal health care proposal, the more people hate it.

    Blog text (27)

  • Hence, the court contended, any standard beyond explicit language must be unconstitutionally vague.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The plaintiffs claimed that the law unconstitutionally inflicted punishment within the meaning of the clause.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The NRO's functions have been classified, and its secret budget has been unconstitutionally concealed since its creation in 1960.

    Academic text (1996)

  • In a unanimous decision, the judges ruled that the Communications Decency Act would unconstitutionally restrict free speech on the Internet.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The First Amendment prohibits governmental entities from unconstitutionally infringing on the rights of free speech.

    Academic text (2015)

  • The Supreme Court ruled that the Bituminous Coal Conservation Act unconstitutionally delegated federal governmental power.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Judge Lavenski R. Smith called that part of section 526(a)(4) "unconstitutionally overbroad" and a violation of the First Amendment.

    Academic text (2009)

Synonyms

illegally
vsunconstitutionally
226 2.1

In a way that breaks the law

is forbidden by a country's fundamental laws rather than ordinary statutes
wrongfully
vsunconstitutionally
25 4.6

In a way that is unfair or against the law

refer to breach of highest legal document rather than moral unfairness
unlawfully
vsunconstitutionally
  • Formal
14 4.3

In a way that breaks the law

is specifically against a nation's fundamental laws not just legal rules
illicitly
vsunconstitutionally
2 6.8

In a way that breaks the law or rules

contravenes a state's supreme legal rules rather than only social customs
illegitimately
vsunconstitutionally
  • Formal
2 6.8

In a way not allowed by law or rules

goes against a state's highest legal authority rather than mere improper practice
impermissibly
vsunconstitutionally
  • Formal
1 8.1

In a way that rules or the law do not allow

is forbidden by highest written laws, not only ordinary rules or laws

Antonyms

constitutionally
  • Formal
36 6.5

In a way that follows a country's basic rules for government

How Constitutional

constitutionally
  • Formal
36 6.5
unconstitutionally
  • Literature
4 8.8

Surface Forms

unconstitutionally positive

Morphology

unconstitutionally = unconstitutional (transparent) = un + constitution + al + ly

The adverb is clearly formed by adding '-ly' to 'unconstitutional' (itself 'un-' + 'constitutional'), so the meaning follows straightforwardly.

Etymology

The word unconstitutionally breaks into un- ('not'), constitution ('basic laws that set up a country'), and -ally ('in a way'). So, unconstitutionally means doing something 'not' allowed by a country's 'basic laws'.