constitutionally

[ kon-sti-too-shuh-nl-ee, -tyoo- ]

adverb

1. in respect to physical makeup:

   He is constitutionally fitted for heavy labor.

2. in respect to mental or emotional makeup:

   constitutionally unable to speak before an audience.

3. with respect to a constitution:

   constitutionally invalid law.

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitutionally¹

First recorded in 1735–45; constitutional + -ly

Example Sentences

The court held that even patently offensive speech directed at “public figures” such as Falwell was constitutionally protected, as long as it did not purport to be factual.

From Washington Post

As Kayla Jimenez and Sara Libby report in a new story, many of those small businesses insist they’re engaging in constitutionally protected speech and therefore doing nothing wrong.

From Voice of San Diego

We’re calling it a constitutionally protected peaceful protest.

From Voice of San Diego

He lobbied to lift the constitutionally-mandated age limit for the presidency just as he was about to surpass it, ensuring a continued grip on power.

From Time

The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies also contend with strict legal limits on their ability to track constitutionally protected political discourse.

From ProPublica

Like it or not, religious reasons for an act are constitutionally different from non-religious ones.

From The Daily Beast

No matter how constitutionally suspect, how costly, how slapdash, or how disappointing a grand policy might be, well, they tried.

From The Daily Beast

But he is said to have kept to his constitutionally guaranteed right to remain silent when it comes to Graham.

From The Daily Beast

After a brief encounter with combat, Slovik declared himself constitutionally unsuited for warfare.

From The Daily Beast

Religion, unlike racism, is constitutionally protected, and opposition to gay marriage has deep religious roots.

From The Daily Beast

Racial segregation in the public schools of Virginia was constitutionally established in the Underwood Constitution of 1902.

From Project Gutenberg

He was, in fact, constitutionally disqualified for the practice of such a calling.

From Project Gutenberg

We suspect that he is constitutionally incapable of even apprehending metaphysical problems.

From Project Gutenberg

But if reforms could not be gained constitutionally, then he would accept revolution, as the lesser evil.

From Project Gutenberg

But we have nothing to do with the constitutionally luckless: the calamitous history of a simple empty stomach is enough.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• genetically
• intrinsically
• naturally