underqualified
adjective
un·der·qual·i·fied
ˌən-dər-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd 
: lacking sufficient qualifications (such as adequate education and experience) for a particular job, assignment, etc.
an underqualified candidate
… if entrants are greatly underqualified academically, new curricula will be required.—
Julian C. Stanley
Julian C. StanleyExamples of underqualified in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ever since Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense, critics have called the former Fox News weekend host the most underqualified person to ever hold the position.
—John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
As a result, some Syrian refugees have relied instead on underqualified doctors, self-medicated, or chosen to forego vital services altogether.
—David Miliband, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2019
Little was among several vastly underqualified candidates to apply for Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator job.
—Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
The tournament selection committee clearly screwed up by putting underqualified North Carolina in March Madness.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underqualified
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John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
As a result, some Syrian refugees have relied instead on underqualified doctors, self-medicated, or chosen to forego vital services altogether.
—David Miliband, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2019
Little was among several vastly underqualified candidates to apply for Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator job.
—Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
The tournament selection committee clearly screwed up by putting underqualified North Carolina in March Madness.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underqualified
Cite this Entry
“Underqualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underqualified. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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