underqualified
adjective
un·der·qual·i·fied
ˌən-dər-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd 
: lacking sufficient qualifications (such as adequate education and experience) for a particular job, assignment, etc.
an underqualified candidate
… if entrants are greatly underqualified academically, new curricula will be required.—
Julian C. Stanley
Julian C. StanleyExamples of underqualified in a Sentence
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The conference is contracted with an officiating consortium operated by the Big Ten, which has drawn criticism for sending inexperienced, underqualified crews while its top referees work games in the Midwest.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Conversely, Trump may continue to appoint underqualified individuals to serve as IRS Commissioner, which can be particularly impactful if these individuals share his views on defunding the IRS.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Rattlers hiss at Johnson At Wednesday’s meeting, more than a dozen public speakers condemned Johnson as underqualified.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Those critics argue that the overhaul of the courts could give the governing party more power and open the door to underqualified or easily influenced candidates.
—James Wagner, New York Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underqualified
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Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Conversely, Trump may continue to appoint underqualified individuals to serve as IRS Commissioner, which can be particularly impactful if these individuals share his views on defunding the IRS.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Rattlers hiss at Johnson At Wednesday’s meeting, more than a dozen public speakers condemned Johnson as underqualified.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Those critics argue that the overhaul of the courts could give the governing party more power and open the door to underqualified or easily influenced candidates.
—James Wagner, New York Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underqualified
Cite this Entry
“Underqualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underqualified. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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