disqualify
gb/dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪ/ us/dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
remove from a contest
to stop someone from competing because of a rule
Usage pattern:
disqualify [someone] (from [competition/event]) (for [reason])
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse qualify (be allowed) with disqualify (not allowed), or use *disqualify from* vs *disqualify for* incorrectly (often both appear, depending on whether you add the reason).
Synonyms
ban (Often implies a wider or longer exclusion, not just removal from one event.)
|
exclude (More general; may not imply a rule violation.)
|
eliminate (Can be due to performance rather than rule-breaking.)
Antonyms
qualify (Meet the requirements and be allowed to compete.)
|
reinstate (Allow someone to compete again after removal.)
Collocations
disqualify a player
|disqualify an athlete
|disqualify a team
|be disqualified from the race
|disqualify from the tournament
|disqualify for a false start
|disqualify for doping
|disqualify for cheating
|disqualify for a rules violation
|disqualify after a review
Themes
sports
|competition
|rules
Examples
- The referee disqualified the runner for a false start.
- Two teams were disqualified after officials found they used ineligible players.
- She was disqualified from the final when her equipment failed inspection.
Learner examples
- He was disqualified for cheating.
- They disqualified her from the race.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
make ineligible for something
to make someone not allowed to get something because of a rule
Usage pattern:
disqualify [someone] from [job/benefit/award/office]
Common mistake:
A common error is using *disqualify for* with the thing (e.g., *disqualify for the job*). Prefer *disqualify from the job*; use *for* to give the reason (e.g., *for lacking experience*).
Synonyms
render ineligible (More explicit and formal about eligibility status.)
|
bar (Suggests an official rule or authority preventing access.)
|
rule out (Often used when deciding who can be considered.)
Antonyms
qualify (Meet the requirements for eligibility.)
|
admit (Allow someone to enter or take part.)
Collocations
disqualify a candidate
|disqualify an applicant
|be disqualified from receiving benefits
|disqualify from holding office
|disqualify from the grant
|automatically disqualify
|disqualify on eligibility grounds
|disqualify due to age
|disqualify due to a criminal record
|disqualify for failing a background check
Themes
work
|education
|government
|rules
Examples
- A previous fraud conviction can disqualify you from some government programs.
- Missing the deadline will disqualify applicants from consideration.
- The committee disqualified two candidates who didn’t meet the residency requirement.
Learner examples
- This mistake can disqualify you from the job.
- He was disqualified from the scholarship.
Verb
C1
action
3
show someone is unsuitable
to show that someone is not right for a role
Usage pattern:
[something] disqualify [someone] (from [role/consideration])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *disqualify* where *criticize* or *disagree* is meant; disqualify implies the person should no longer be considered at all.
Synonyms
discredit (Focuses on damaging credibility rather than formal eligibility.)
|
invalidate (More about making something not acceptable, often an argument or claim.)
Antonyms
recommend (Support someone as suitable for a role.)
|
endorse (Publicly approve of someone for a position or purpose.)
Collocations
disqualify someone from consideration
|disqualify someone from the role
|disqualify someone as a leader
|disqualify someone as a witness
|disqualify himself by his behavior
|disqualify herself with a comment
|be disqualified by lack of experience
|disqualify on moral grounds
|disqualifying remarks
|disqualifying behavior
Themes
work
|social_issues
|communication
Examples
- His history of racist comments should disqualify him from any teaching role.
- One careless email can disqualify a candidate in a close hiring decision.
- The interviewer said my lack of management experience didn’t disqualify me.
Learner examples
- That behavior disqualifies him from the job.
- One mistake should not disqualify you.
Verb
formal
C1
action
4
make something unacceptable or invalid
to make something not usable or acceptable
Usage pattern:
disqualify [something] (as [something]) / disqualify [something] from [purpose/use]
Common mistake:
Learners may use *disqualify* where *disprove* is intended; disqualify usually means something fails a requirement, not that it is shown to be false.
Synonyms
invalidate (Often used for results, arguments, or procedures becoming not valid.)
|
rule out (Emphasizes rejecting something as an option or explanation.)
|
exclude (Suggests removing from a set of acceptable items.)
Antonyms
validate (Confirm that something meets standards and is acceptable.)
|
admit (Allow something (e.g., evidence) to be accepted or used.)
Collocations
disqualify evidence
|disqualify testimony
|disqualify a study
|disqualify a result
|disqualify a claim
|disqualify an entry
|disqualify on technical grounds
|disqualify because of bias
|disqualify due to contamination
|disqualify as proof
Themes
education
|research
|quality
Examples
- Contamination in the samples could disqualify the entire study.
- A missing signature disqualified the form as a legal record.
- The judge disqualified the evidence because it was obtained illegally.
Learner examples
- One error can disqualify the results.
- This problem disqualifies the report.
Verb
legal
C1
action
5
bar someone from a legal case
to stop someone working on a case because of a conflict
Usage pattern:
disqualify [judge/juror/lawyer] from [case/hearing]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *disqualify* with *recuse*: a person can recuse themselves; a court can disqualify someone.
Synonyms
recuse (Usually refers to stepping aside voluntarily (especially a judge).)
|
remove (More general; not necessarily for conflict or bias.)
Antonyms
appoint (Officially choose someone to serve in a role.)
|
retain (Keep someone in the role instead of removing them.)
Collocations
disqualify a judge
|disqualify a juror
|disqualify a prosecutor
|disqualify defense counsel
|disqualify from the case
|disqualify from the trial
|disqualify for conflict of interest
|disqualify for bias
|seek to disqualify
|order to disqualify
Themes
law
|government
Examples
- The defense asked the court to disqualify the prosecutor for a conflict of interest.
- The judge was disqualified from the case because she previously worked with the defendant.
- Several jurors were disqualified after admitting they had already formed an opinion.
Learner examples
- They tried to disqualify the judge from the case.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disqualify
IPA
GB/dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪ/
US/dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
dis - qual - i - fy (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (qual)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: disqualify
- 3rd Person Singular: disqualifies
- Present Participle: disqualifying
- Past: disqualified
Word family
Forms
disqualifies
verb
disqualifying
verb
disqualified
verb
Core family
Related words
qualifier
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unqualified
adjective
Expressions
be disqualified
1/bˈi dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪd/
fixed phrase
be removed by the rules
to be told you cannot continue because of a rule
Examples
- If you step out of your lane, you can be disqualified.
- Three entries were disqualified for missing the deadline.
- He was disqualified after officials reviewed the video.
be disqualified from
1/bˈi dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪd fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
be ineligible for something
to not be allowed to do something
Examples
- Applicants who apply late will be disqualified from consideration.
- He was disqualified from the tournament after testing positive for a banned substance.
- They may be disqualified from receiving benefits if they do not report the income.
disqualify on a technicality
1/dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪ ˈɔn ə tˌɛknɪkˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
exclude for a minor rule
to remove someone because of a small rule detail
Examples
- The team was disqualified on a technicality when the paperwork was filed one hour late.
- She felt they disqualified her on a technicality rather than judging her work.
- The appeal succeeded because the original decision had been made on a technicality.
disqualify yourself
1/dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
make yourself ineligible
to do something that makes you not allowed to take part
Examples
- If you contact the judges directly, you may disqualify yourself from the competition.
- He disqualified himself by lying on the application form.
- Try not to disqualify yourself by missing the required documents.
motion to disqualify
1/mˈoʊʃən tə dɪskwˈɑləfˌaɪ/
fixed phrase
legal
legal request to bar someone
a formal legal request to remove someone from a case
Examples
- The defense filed a motion to disqualify the prosecutor for conflict of interest.
- The judge denied the motion to disqualify.
- A motion to disqualify was submitted after the relationship was disclosed.