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
Intermittent remote supervision and remote assistance continue forever, and do not disqualify a team from crossing the line.
—
Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Licensing loopholes Although disqualified from a federal explosives license, Chee secured three state licenses for Devastating Pyrotechnics from Cal Fire’s Office of the State Fire Marshal, allowing the company to import and export, wholesale and use display fireworks.
—Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Questions about the sheriff’s academy class came as the NYPD took steps to terminate 30 of its probationary officers who should have been disqualified by background checks.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Recall organizers turned in more than 400 signatures, but 110 of that total were found not to be qualified electors or disqualified for another reason, according to a June 24 recall petition certification.
—Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
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.
Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Licensing loopholes Although disqualified from a federal explosives license, Chee secured three state licenses for Devastating Pyrotechnics from Cal Fire’s Office of the State Fire Marshal, allowing the company to import and export, wholesale and use display fireworks.
—Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Questions about the sheriff’s academy class came as the NYPD took steps to terminate 30 of its probationary officers who should have been disqualified by background checks.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Recall organizers turned in more than 400 signatures, but 110 of that total were found not to be qualified electors or disqualified for another reason, according to a June 24 recall petition certification.
—Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
Cite this Entry
“Disqualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disqualify. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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
Share