ineligible
adjective
in·el·i·gi·ble
(ˌ)i-ˈne-lə-jə-bəl 
: 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 National Immigration Law Center recently published a guide explaining some of the potential risks of using the app, such as leaving the country without closing an immigration court case and becoming ineligible for a future visa.
—
Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Losing or changing jobs can also cause households that were previously ineligible to qualify for assistance.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
South Africa had been even further clear of Nigeria but were recently docked three points by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for fielding an ineligible player in a 2-0 win against Lesotho in March.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Artists are allowed to appear on the entry list for best new artist three times, after which they are ruled ineligible for future consideration.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineligible
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Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Losing or changing jobs can also cause households that were previously ineligible to qualify for assistance.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
South Africa had been even further clear of Nigeria but were recently docked three points by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for fielding an ineligible player in a 2-0 win against Lesotho in March.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Artists are allowed to appear on the entry list for best new artist three times, after which they are ruled ineligible for future consideration.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineligible
Cite this Entry
“Ineligible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineligible. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ineligible
adjective
in·el·i·gi·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈel-ə-jə-bəl
: not qualified to be chosen or used
ineligible
noun
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