underqualified

adjective

un·​der·​qual·​i·​fied ˌən-dər-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd How to pronounce underqualified (audio)
: 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

Examples of underqualified in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The report looks at the number of vacancies and underqualified employees compared to the number of students. Peter Greene, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Their replacements were often underqualified, winning their posts through connections; at its highest levels, the Ministry of Health became a vehicle for doling out patronage. Rozina Ali, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2020 Studies led by researcher Tuan Nguyen, an associate professor at Kansas State University, place the current teacher shortage at 55,000 vacant positions and an additional 270,000 teaching posts currently filled by underqualified teachers. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 May 2024 The Rwandan countryside still struggles with poor schools and underqualified teachers, low crop yields, and lack of social and real capital. Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for underqualified 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underqualified.' 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

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underqualified was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near underqualified

Cite this Entry

“Underqualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underqualified. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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