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
In many places, part of the problem is that kids have underqualified teachers, who are underpaid and not respected by the community.
—Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2014
But that mindset can lead to underqualified hires who lack the ability to manage the complexity and pace of executive-level demands.
—Kenzie Biggins, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for underqualified
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Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2014
But that mindset can lead to underqualified hires who lack the ability to manage the complexity and pace of executive-level demands.
—Kenzie Biggins, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for underqualified
Cite this Entry
“Underqualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underqualified. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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