ineligible

1 of 2

adjective

in·​el·​i·​gi·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈne-lə-jə-bəl How to pronounce ineligible (audio)
Synonyms of ineligiblenext
: 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
ineligibility
(ˌ)i-ˌne-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce ineligible (audio)
noun
ineligible noun

ineligibility

2 of 2

noun

in·​eligibility (¦)in How to pronounce ineligibility (audio)
ən+
: the condition or fact of being ineligible

Examples of ineligible in a Sentence

Adjective Previously ineligible patients may now be able to participate in the study. They are ineligible for a loan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The law center also says the 14th Amendment’s Due Process clause is violated by a provision that allows supervisors of elections to review whether a voter is ineligible within 90 days of a federal election. — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 Banning, open since 1926, is 1-1 after a forfeit loss to South East because of an ineligible player. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The bill brings state fireworks licensing requirements in line with federal ones by expanding the list of criminal convictions that make applicants ineligible for fireworks licenses. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Long County forfeited its opening game to McIntosh County Academy on Monday after self-reporting an ineligible player. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ineligible

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French inéligible, from in- + éligible eligible

First Known Use

Adjective

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ineligible was in 1770

Rhymes for ineligible

See All Rhymes for ineligible

Browse Nearby Words

ineligibility
ineligible
ineligible paper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ineligible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineligible. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
ineligibility
(ˌ)in-ˌel-ə-jə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce ineligible (audio)
noun
ineligible noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ineligible

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ineligible

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