unconstitutional
Against founding document
Unconstitutional describes laws, actions, or policies that violate a constitution—typically a nation's founding document establishing the structure and limits of government.
In the United States, the Supreme Court determines what is unconstitutional: The court struck down the law as unconstitutional.
The word implies not just illegality but a fundamental breach of governing principles.
Forbidden by statute
- illegalForbidden by statute
- invalidWithout legal force
- voidWithout legal effect
- unenforceableLacking legal force
prohibited · forbidden · banned · illicit · wrongful · impermissible · unauthorized · noncompliant
Oppressive, absolute governance
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
autocracy · oligarchy · oppression · overreach · abuse of power · executive overreach · usurpation · encroachment
Rights limiting government power
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
- free speechProtected verbal liberty
- right to privacyEntitlement to personal seclusion
voting rights · Miranda rights · search and seizure · self-incrimination · double jeopardy · cruel and unusual · right to bear arms · Bill of Rights
Reverse or invalidate
- strike downAnnul by authority
- invalidateMake null or void
- annulDeclare legally void
- nullifyMake of no effect
revoke · repeal · abrogate · rescind · quash · vacate · void · repudiate
Constitutional free expression guarantee
- Fourth AmendmentSearch and seizure protection
- Fifth AmendmentProtection against compelled testimony
- Fourteenth AmendmentPost-Civil War constitutional addition
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
framers · originalism · ratification · enumerated powers · supremacy clause
unlawful
Forbidden by statute
unenforceable · prohibited · forbidden · banned · illicit · wrongful · impermissible · unauthorized · noncompliant · infringing
tyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
dictatorship · autocracy · oligarchy · oppression · overreach · abuse of power · executive overreach · usurpation · encroachment · power grab
civil liberties
Rights limiting government power
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
- free speechProtected verbal liberty
right to privacy · voting rights · Miranda rights · search and seizure · self-incrimination · double jeopardy · cruel and unusual · right to bear arms · Bill of Rights · establishment clause
overturn
Reverse or invalidate
- strike downAnnul by authority
- invalidateMake null or void
- annulDeclare legally void
nullify · revoke · repeal · abrogate · rescind · quash · vacate · void · repudiate · disallow
First Amendment
Constitutional free expression guarantee
- Fourth AmendmentSearch and seizure protection
- Fifth AmendmentProtection against compelled testimony
- Fourteenth AmendmentPost-Civil War constitutional addition
founding fathers · framers · originalism · ratification · enumerated powers · supremacy clause
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
- government termslegislative, federal agencies, congressional, state agencies, parliamentary
- statusespending, active, approved, inactive, completed
- constitutionsbill of rights, clause, clauses, preamble, provisions
unconstitutionalconstitutional
Health-promoting walk
lawful · legal · legitimate · valid · permissible
unconstitutionallegal
Permitted by statute
lawful · legitimate · valid · permissible · authorized
unconstitutionalconstitutional
Health-promoting walk
legitimate · lawful · authorized · warranted · justified