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
Which apparently disqualifies them from having an opinion about a movie or casting decision.
—
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Those aren’t disqualifying salaries in a rising cap world, but the preference should be snagging plug-ins who are willing sign short-term, such as Matt Grzelcyk (who also has ties to Sullivan), Ville Heinola or Jeremy Lauzon.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Deep inside a White House proposal to overhaul how the government awards grants is a short section that health disparities researchers say could disqualify much of their work from federal funding — perhaps the most serious threat yet to the future of their field.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 22 June 2026
According to authorities, Ortiz-Garcia’s criminal history includes state convictions for drug distribution and weapon possession offenses, which disqualify him from having a firearm or ammunition.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
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Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Those aren’t disqualifying salaries in a rising cap world, but the preference should be snagging plug-ins who are willing sign short-term, such as Matt Grzelcyk (who also has ties to Sullivan), Ville Heinola or Jeremy Lauzon.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Deep inside a White House proposal to overhaul how the government awards grants is a short section that health disparities researchers say could disqualify much of their work from federal funding — perhaps the most serious threat yet to the future of their field.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 22 June 2026
According to authorities, Ortiz-Garcia’s criminal history includes state convictions for drug distribution and weapon possession offenses, which disqualify him from having a firearm or ammunition.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 June 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 25 Jun. 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
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