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
The legal rationale was that a Bar investigation could lead to suspension or disbarment, which would automatically disqualify them from office, a discipline reserved to the Legislature, governor and Judicial Qualifications Commission.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2025
The fencing group updated its gender eligibility policy last week after facing months of criticism for disqualifying a female athlete who refused to compete against a biological male.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
The Mountain West hired the firm to handle the investigation in the same month that the same firm represented the conference to protect Fleming's eligibility in a request for preliminary injunction to have the trans athlete disqualified from women's competition and the conference tournament.
—Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Hippler would later rule against the defense on this and other strategies to disqualify the death penalty.
—Nicole Blanchard
updated July 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2025
The fencing group updated its gender eligibility policy last week after facing months of criticism for disqualifying a female athlete who refused to compete against a biological male.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
The Mountain West hired the firm to handle the investigation in the same month that the same firm represented the conference to protect Fleming's eligibility in a request for preliminary injunction to have the trans athlete disqualified from women's competition and the conference tournament.
—Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Hippler would later rule against the defense on this and other strategies to disqualify the death penalty.
—Nicole Blanchard
updated July 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 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 2 Aug. 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
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