constitutionalize
Make fundamentally legal
To constitutionalize is to bring something under the framework of a constitution—either by embedding a right or principle in constitutional law, or by making an issue subject to constitutional interpretation.
Courts constitutionalize matters when they rule that constitutional protections apply: The Supreme Court effectively constitutionalized abortion rights in 1973.
Critics sometimes use the term negatively, suggesting judges are constitutionalizing policy questions that should remain with legislatures.
Organize into formal rules
- entrenchFix firmly in place
- embedFix within surrounding material
- formalizeMake official or systematic
- establishCreate formally, permanently
incorporate · anchor · secure · protect · guarantee · safeguard · legitimize · normalize
Underlying support system
- separation of powersConstitutional distribution of authority
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- bicameralHaving two chambers
unicameral · judiciary · legislature · executive · preamble · bill of rights · articles · clauses
Formally accept or authorize
- affirmDeclare to be true
- confirmValidate as true
- endorseGive official approval
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
validate · authenticate · certify · consent · assent · adopt · accept · authorize
Change to official text
- revisionAltering to improve
- modificationAct of altering something
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- alterationAct of modifying
change · update · redraft · rewrite · supplement · addendum · clarification · refinement
codify
Organize into formal rules
establish · incorporate · anchor · secure · protect · guarantee · safeguard · legitimize · normalize · standardize
framework
Underlying support system
- separation of powersConstitutional distribution of authority
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
bicameral · unicameral · judiciary · legislature · executive · preamble · bill of rights · articles · clauses · provisions
approve
Formally accept or authorize
sanction · validate · authenticate · certify · consent · assent · adopt · accept · authorize · subscribe
amendment
Change to official text
- revisionAltering to improve
- modificationAct of altering something
- reformImprove by correcting faults
alteration · change · update · redraft · rewrite · supplement · addendum · clarification · refinement · adjustment
constitutionalizerepeal
Annul a statute
abrogate · nullify · decriminalize · deregulate · invalidate