disqualify

verb

dis·​qual·​i·​fy (ˌ)dis-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce disqualify (audio)
disqualified; disqualifying; disqualifies

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of the required qualities, properties, or conditions : make unfit
2
: to deprive of a power, right, or privilege
3
: to make ineligible for a prize or for further competition because of violations of the rules

Examples of disqualify in a Sentence

His poor eyesight disqualified him from becoming a pilot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What To Watch For The DOJ is likely to appeal Brann’s ruling, and the judge said his decision disqualifying Habba can remain on pause while the appeals process plays out. Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Officials noted that his criminal history includes convictions on state level assault, burglary, and larceny charges, which disqualify him from having a firearm. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025 Even an incident that didn't surface until six weeks after the shooting -- a dash-cam video of Grayson, working as a deputy in a nearby county, ignoring an order to halt a high-speed chase and then hitting a deer with his squad car -- would not have disqualified him, Campbell said at the time. John O’Connor The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2025 Subsequent endorsements of Israel’s attack by European Union member states, including France and Germany, as well as the United Kingdom will have disqualified such countries, in the Iranian view, as honest and credible intermediaries. Hasan T. Alhasan, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disqualify

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of disqualify was in 1701

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Cite this Entry

“Disqualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disqualify. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

disqualify

verb
dis·​qual·​i·​fy (ˈ)dis-ˈkwäl-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce disqualify (audio)
disqualified; disqualifying
: to make or declare unfit or not qualified

Legal Definition

disqualify

transitive verb
dis·​qual·​i·​fy dis-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce disqualify (audio)
disqualified; disqualifying
1
: to deprive of the required qualities, properties, or conditions
a financial interest in the case that disqualified the judge
2
: to deprive of a right or privilege especially after a hearing
misconduct that disqualified the employee from receiving unemployment benefits

More from Merriam-Webster on disqualify

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