Definition

Verb: 1. To incorporate a principle, right, or procedure into a constitution: To give a concept the formal, supreme legal status and protection afforded by being written into a nation's or state's constitution. 2. To make something constitutional: To bring a law, practice, or right into conformity with a constitution; to ensure it is in accordance with constitutional principles.

Usage and Examples

• The verb is used to describe the formal act of enshrining a concept in a constitution.
• It often appears in political, legal, and historical contexts.
• Example: "The reformers sought to constitutionalise the right to a clean environment."
• Example: "The Supreme Court's decision effectively constitutionalised the protection of free speech in that context."

Advanced Usage

• The process of constitutionalising a right often follows significant social debate or legal precedent.
• The term can be used in a passive voice to describe the status of a right: "The right to privacy became constitutionalised through a series of judicial interpretations."

Variants and Related Words

• Constitutionalisation (noun): The process or result of making something part of a constitution.
• Constitutional (adjective): Relating to or in accordance with a constitution.
• Constitution (noun): The fundamental legal document of a state.

Synonyms

• Enshrine (in a constitution)
• Entrench (legally)
• Codify (at the constitutional level)

Antonyms

• Repeal (from a constitution)
• Unconstitutionalise (rarely used; more common: "declare unconstitutional" or "strike down")

Verb

1. incorporate into a constitution, make constitutional
   • A woman's right to an abortion was constitutionalized in the 1970's