disqualify

[ dis-kwol-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·qual·i·fied, dis·qual·i·fy·ing.

1. to deprive of qualification or fitness; render unfit; incapacitate.
2. to deprive of legal, official, or other rights or privileges; declare ineligible or unqualified.
3. Sports. to deprive of the right to participate in or win a contest because of a violation of the rules.

disqualify

/ dɪsˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make unfit or unqualified
2. to make ineligible, as for entry to an examination
3. to debar (a player or team) from a sporting contest
4. to divest or deprive of rights, powers, or privileges

   disqualified from driving

Derived Forms

• disˈqualiˌfiable, adjective
• disˌqualifiˈcation, noun
• disˈqualiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• dis·quali·fia·ble adjective
• nondis·quali·fying adjective
• undis·quali·fia·ble adjective
• undis·quali·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disqualify¹

First recorded in 1710–20; dis- ¹ + qualify

Example Sentences

The fact that she chased two Muslim lawmakers through the Capitol in 2019, demanding they take their oath of office on a Bible rather than a Quran, didn’t disqualify her among voters in the district.

From Time

Here are four things we’ve learned …Only 83 of the 204 House Republicans who participated in the vote opposed the effort last week to effectively disqualify the presidential votes in Arizona.

From FiveThirtyEight

Hong Kong’s government first disqualified a number of opposition figures and then delayed the election by a full year, citing the coronavirus.

From Fortune

Troupis, whose lawsuit did not present any cases of voter fraud, had instead argued that any votes cast under rules not agreed to by the state legislature were susceptible to potential fraud and should be disqualified.

From Washington Post

The latter setback should be disqualifying even if Florida happens to pull off a surprise in Atlanta against Alabama, though the committee didn’t seem to get the memo about the Gators losing last weekend.

From Washington Post

And pro-life bloggers wondered if they should “disqualify” Paul from garnering their support in the upcoming presidential primary.

From The Daily Beast

Why does me having sex on camera disqualify me for from having a professional job even if I am perfectly qualified for it?

From The Daily Beast

Certainly he will have the resources to outlast, discredit, and disqualify his rivals.

From The Daily Beast

It turned out the storm lost just enough power before hitting land to disqualify it from hurricane status.

From The Daily Beast

Even if it had been his decision, however, it is not something that should disqualify him from serving the public.

From The Daily Beast

On the other hand, many men, by their own vice and intemperance, disqualify themselves for conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

Do scientific pursuits disqualify a man for administrative responsibility?

From Project Gutenberg

Thus did ambition disqualify her, as we had regretfully to let her go, but fortunately her kind is rare enough to be interesting.

From Project Gutenberg

What may disqualify any person for admission to the ministry of the Kirk.

From Project Gutenberg

If he tears up his card or picks up his ball he'll disqualify himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bar
• exclude
• invalidate
• preclude
• prohibit
• rule out
• suspend