disqualify

[dis-kwol-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

disqualified, disqualifying 

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

Other Word Forms

• disqualifiable adjective
• nondisqualifying adjective
• undisqualifiable adjective
• undisqualified adjective
• disqualifier noun
• disqualification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disqualify¹

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

Example Sentences

Last month, a federal judge disqualified Nevada’s top federal prosecutor, Sigal Chattah, from several cases, concluding she “is not validly serving as acting U.S. attorney.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Baroness D'Souza, a crossbench peer who does not belong to a party, was eventually disqualified from driving temporarily on 16 July.

Read more on BBC

In Paris, the U.S. women’s 4×100 relay won gold—but the men’s relay was disqualified after another botched handoff.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He was also disqualified from driving for five years and eight months.

Read more on BBC

“Ms. Chattah is disqualified from supervising these cases or any attorneys in the handling of these cases,” Campbell wrote.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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