Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing someone to become ineligible or barred: Describes an action, condition, or factor that legally or officially prevents a person from participating, holding a position, or possessing a right.
   • Rendering unfit or unsuitable: Indicates that something serves to make a person or thing unsuitable for a particular purpose or role.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The athlete's use of a banned substance was a disqualifying offense. (This describes the action that made the athlete ineligible.)
  • A felony conviction is often a disqualifying factor for certain professional licenses. (This describes the condition that legally bars someone.)
  • The committee cited a clear conflict of interest as the disqualifying reason. (This describes the factor that rendered the candidate unsuitable.)

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Formal Context: Used primarily in official, legal, or regulatory contexts to describe grounds for exclusion.
  • The judge found the evidence to be disqualifying, leading to the witness's testimony being struck from the record.
• As a Participial Adjective: Often functions as an adjective derived from the present participle of the verb "disqualify."
  • The disqualifying clause in the contract was carefully reviewed by the lawyers.

Variants and Related Words

• Disqualify (verb): To officially make someone ineligible or unfit.
  • The governing body will disqualify any team found cheating.
• Disqualification (noun): The act of disqualifying or the state of being disqualified.
  • His disqualification from the race was a major disappointment.

Synonyms

• Disabling: Depriving of legal power or capacity.
• Preclusive: Serving to prevent or exclude.
• Debarring: Excluding or prohibiting someone officially.

Related Phrases

• Disqualifying factor: A specific element that causes disqualification.
  • Age was not a disqualifying factor for the job.
• Grounds for disqualification: The official reasons for being disqualified.
  • The panel discussed the potential grounds for disqualification.

Adjective

1. depriving of legal right; rendering legally disqualified
   • certain disabling restrictions disqualified him for citizenship