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
Sam Horsfield was disqualified from the Final Qualifier for The Open Championship played on Tuesday at West Lancashire Golf Club.
—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
While employers can lawfully disqualify a candidate based on a positive test, doing so without a transparent and defensible policy may raise questions in competitive hiring markets or among stakeholders focused on fairness.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 30 June 2025
Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung — Chan’s husband — was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017.
—Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
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.
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
While employers can lawfully disqualify a candidate based on a positive test, doing so without a transparent and defensible policy may raise questions in competitive hiring markets or among stakeholders focused on fairness.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 30 June 2025
Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung — Chan’s husband — was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017.
—Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
Cite this Entry
“Disqualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disqualify. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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
Share