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.
Drop Shots 😱 A player in the girls’ singles was disqualified from her match after committing a cardinal Wimbledon sin. Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Turner was told that according to the rules, refusing to fence would disqualify her. Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026 She was initially announced the winner of the division at the post-race awards ceremony before later being disqualified. Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 4 July 2026 The commission also ruled the same to be true for Republican Michael Walsh, a candidate for attorney general, and he too was disqualified from the ballot. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disqualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disqualify. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster