disqualify

verb

dis·​qual·​i·​fy (ˌ)dis-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce disqualify (audio)
disqualified; disqualifying; disqualifies
Synonyms of disqualifynext

transitive verb

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
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.
Nadezhdin attempted to mount a long-shot run against Putin for the presidency in 2024 but was disqualified on technical grounds by the Election Commission. — Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 But he was kept off the March 2024 ballot after Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that more than 9,000 signatures submitted by his campaign were invalid — enough to disqualify him. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 The Bridge program rules dictate that if a patient has a BMI of 35, but their sleep apnea crosses the threshold from mild to moderate, they are disqualified from gaining access to a GLP-1 through the Bridge initiative. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Company reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates these Terms or the official Yahoo Survival Pool rules. — The Athletic, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disqualify

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of disqualify was in 1701

Rhymes for disqualify

See All Rhymes for disqualify

Browse Nearby Words

disqualification
disqualify
disquantity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disqualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disqualify. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disqualify

verb
dis·​qual·​i·​fy (ˈ)dis-ˈkwäl-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce disqualify (audio)
disqualified; disqualifying
: to make or declare unfit or not qualified

Legal Definition

disqualify

transitive verb
dis·​qual·​i·​fy dis-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce disqualify (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on disqualify

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disqualify

Nglish: Translation of disqualify for Spanish Speakers

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