disqualify
verb
dis·qual·i·fy
(ˌ)dis-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī 
disqualified; disqualifying; disqualifies
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
Salerno claims her team was disqualified from the following meet and then began to face intimidating stares from the trans athlete at public events.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Giveaway or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.
—AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Since Halligan was disqualified from her role, the department has tried and failed twice to secure a new indictment against James.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
It's been two weeks since Day filed his petition to disqualify Wardlaw, and the Pulaski County Circuit Court has yet to schedule a hearing.
—Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
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.
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Giveaway or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.
—AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Since Halligan was disqualified from her role, the department has tried and failed twice to secure a new indictment against James.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
It's been two weeks since Day filed his petition to disqualify Wardlaw, and the Pulaski County Circuit Court has yet to schedule a hearing.
—Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
Cite this Entry
“Disqualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disqualify. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disqualify
verb
dis·qual·i·fy
(ˈ)dis-ˈkwäl-ə-ˌfī
disqualified; disqualifying
: to make or declare unfit or not qualified
Legal Definition
disqualify
transitive verb
dis·qual·i·fy
dis-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
