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
Fani Willis moves to disqualify Trent Brown from cases involving her office.
—
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 19 May 2026
Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify a potential winner based on the results of such background check if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that selecting such potential finalist might reflect negatively on the Sponsor.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Diaz was medically disqualified before the third round.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
You’re disqualified from the tournament.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 15 May 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.
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 19 May 2026
Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify a potential winner based on the results of such background check if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that selecting such potential finalist might reflect negatively on the Sponsor.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Diaz was medically disqualified before the third round.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
You’re disqualified from the tournament.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 15 May 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 20 May. 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
