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 See All the Drama from Thursday's Women's Figure Skating Final in Photos On Jan. 29, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled to disqualify Valieva for four years for violating anti-doping rules starting on Dec. 25, 2021. Lawrence Yee, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump could not be disqualified as a candidate from state ballots. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Its essence was that Section 3 does not empower states to disqualify people seeking federal office, including presidential candidates. Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 At the three-hour proceeding before Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, attorneys for each side presented legal arguments for and against disqualifying Willis from the case over her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2024 You can be disqualified for several reasons, including anything that may arise from a criminal background check conducted as part of your application. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024 With this razor thin threshold in Marion County, her opponents would need only one successful challenge to disqualify her from the ballot. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Torpedoing the Trump election case by disqualifying Willis? USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2024 There was a lot of mixing already with different influences, so that also disqualified them. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disqualify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of disqualify was in 1701

Dictionary Entries Near disqualify

Cite this Entry

“Disqualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disqualify. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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