disqualify

verb

dis·​qual·​i·​fy (ˌ)dis-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī 

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

Sorry, but that does not disqualify you from ridiculing a quarterback for being melodramatic. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

He got fingerprinted, but 10 minutes into his intake interview, his interviewer told him he was disqualified, solely because his 29th birthday had passed. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

The bill sought to prohibit public higher education institutions in California from disqualifying a student from employment due to a lack of proof of federal work authorization. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

In many places, French’s unapologetic, unvarnished bigotry would be disqualifying. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for disqualify

• acidify
• alveoli
• antinomy
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify
• indemnify

Kids 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