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
Elliott is continuing his fundraising in order to have a cushion in case some contributions are disqualified in the same way that candidates gather more than the minimum number of petition signatures in order to gain a spot on the ballot.
—
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Trump’s 2025 order and a Defense Department policy disqualifying people with gender dysphoria were blasted by the majority as targeting a politically unpopular group under the guise of military readiness.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
During the 4×800, the leading team, Longmeadow, was disqualified after one of its runners threw the baton.
—Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
The kind of things that used to be disqualifying for candidates are now two-day stories.
—NBC news, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
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Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Trump’s 2025 order and a Defense Department policy disqualifying people with gender dysphoria were blasted by the majority as targeting a politically unpopular group under the guise of military readiness.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
During the 4×800, the leading team, Longmeadow, was disqualified after one of its runners threw the baton.
—Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
The kind of things that used to be disqualifying for candidates are now two-day stories.
—NBC news, 31 May 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 5 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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