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
Three partners in the private equity firm CCP Equity Partners have moved to disqualify Robinson and the state’s largest law firm Day Pitney, the latest development in a partnership dispute that has reached the state Supreme and Appellate courts repeatedly over the last 13 years.
—
Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 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, 6 Mar. 2026
Will age disqualify him in Cincinnati?
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The factory pedals had been swapped out for motorcycle pegs, disqualifying it from being classified as an e-bike.
—Cierra Morgan
march 4, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 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.
Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 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, 6 Mar. 2026
Will age disqualify him in Cincinnati?
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The factory pedals had been swapped out for motorcycle pegs, disqualifying it from being classified as an e-bike.
—Cierra Morgan
march 4, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 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
