ineligible

adjective

in·​el·​i·​gi·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈne-lə-jə-bəl How to pronounce ineligible (audio)
: not eligible: such as
a
: not qualified for an office or position
b
: not permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass
an ineligible receiver
ineligible noun

Examples of ineligible in a Sentence

Previously ineligible patients may now be able to participate in the study. They are ineligible for a loan.
Recent Examples on the Web The case is before the high court after Trump challenged a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court that said he is disqualified from being president again and ineligible for the state’s primary Tuesday. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Key Background Illinois is now the third state to have deemed Trump ineligible to appear on the primary ballot, following the less populous states of Colorado and Maine. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 An Illinois judge ruled Trump should be taken off the state’s Republican primary ballot, the third state to rule him ineligible over the Jan. 6 riot. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 One of the top items is removing ineligible family members from the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 This year’s Rock Hall nominees include another Grammy winner for best new artist – Sade, which won in 1986 after Whitney Houston was ruled ineligible for having had prior releases – as well as two former nominees in that category: Cher (as part of Sonny & Cher, 1966) and Foreigner (1978). Paul Grein, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2024 Up to one-quarter of the equity licenses granted in Missouri went to ineligible applicants, the Missouri Independent reported. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2024 Those who return to the Palestinian territories will also be ineligible for the program. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2024 Haley is a United States citizen by birth, despite claims that she wasn't born in the U.S. and is ineligible to run for President. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ineligible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French inéligible, from in- + éligible eligible

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ineligible was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near ineligible

Cite this Entry

“Ineligible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineligible. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ineligible

adjective
in·​el·​i·​gi·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈel-ə-jə-bəl How to pronounce ineligible (audio)
: not qualified to be chosen or used
ineligible noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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