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
One of Baffert’s recent Lewis winners captured the Derby, though Medina Spirit (2021) later was disqualified.
—
Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Khelif was previously disqualified from the IBA for failing a gender eligibility test.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
What voters said about Patriot Mobile For Buddy Luce, a former Southlake Carroll school board president, Wambsganss’ Patriot Mobile ties were enough to disqualify her from getting his vote.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Defense attorneys are seeking to disqualify local prosecutors because the adult daughter of Chad Grunander, a deputy county attorney helping prosecute the case, attended the rally where Kirk was shot.
—Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disqualify
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Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Khelif was previously disqualified from the IBA for failing a gender eligibility test.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
What voters said about Patriot Mobile For Buddy Luce, a former Southlake Carroll school board president, Wambsganss’ Patriot Mobile ties were enough to disqualify her from getting his vote.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Defense attorneys are seeking to disqualify local prosecutors because the adult daughter of Chad Grunander, a deputy county attorney helping prosecute the case, attended the rally where Kirk was shot.
—Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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
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