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

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

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

That case has faced a number of hurdles, including efforts to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis over her relationship with an attorney she hired to work on the case.

From BBC

And certainly they try to figure out why someone like Trump can have such a long political life, despite all the scandals, despite that half of the country hates him, despite all the problems that would disqualify any other politician.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, everything that was said in that rally should, by all rights, disqualify Trump in the minds of decent people everywhere.

From Salon

In fact, both the NAR and its predecessor fringe movements going back to the 1940s have been formally denounced by other Christians, along lines that echo Paul’s denunciation of the Colossian heresies: “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.”

From Salon

Being a convicted felon doesn’t disqualify your expertise.

From Slate

Related Words

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