rule out

verb

Definition of rule outnext
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of another loss would rule them out of the tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rule out Injury report The Dolphins won’t need to worry about defending Vikings All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson, who was ruled out with an ankle injury. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Starting left tackle Josh Simmons has been ruled out for the fourth straight game to start the season. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026 Officers are trained never to rule out the possibility that someone who could kill them is stowed like a spare tire in an unlatched rear compartment. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Jones was initially ruled out, but manager Aaron Boone successfully challenged the play. — James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule out
  1. exclude
  2. ban
  3. bar
  4. eliminate
  5. shut out
  6. freeze out
  7. prevent
  8. prohibit
Verb
  • Alternatively, the court could order that materials from the search be excluded from any case against him, and in the extreme, could award Mountbatten-Windsor compensation and a police apology.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Foreigners employed in the country, excluding domestic workers, fell by 16,000 in the three months to June, driven by a drop in construction jobs, according to the government’s quarterly report.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of exclude
Verb
  • There's a certain simple logic to the thought of bringing down the price of fuel by banning its export.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Some wealthy countries, including Norway and Kuwait, have imposed strict rules to formally ban sale to teens.
    — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of ban
Verb
  • Separately, the standard bars new dyeing and finishing operations, excluding purely physical finishing, from sending wastewater to municipal treatment plants, according to the environment ministry.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The girl’s mother now strongly regrets ever giving her daughter the raw milk and has tried to raise awareness of the risk—only to get barred from online groups for speaking out.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of bar
Verb
  • Rooms The residence’s apartments and suites are all about modern luxury with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, along with a solid stone ceiling which eliminated any sounds coming in from other rooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The nation eliminated the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but those rates have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of eliminate
Verb
  • Denny Hamlin, who entered second in the playoff standings, finished 16th and was shut out of stage points.
    — Frankie Frisco, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Stars were also shut out in a home opener for the first time since moving to Dallas before the 1993-94 season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of shut out
Verb
  • Also in the book, Spencer recalled times when Diana froze out people close to her, including several family members.
    — Staff Author, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Although fines and suspended bans have been handed out to clubs, and some boys have been frozen out of the game for months until being cleared, few transfers have ever been banned by the five-step process.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of freeze out
Verb
  • The nation eliminated the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but those rates have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Evidence might include the underlying need, capability fit, timing, accessibility, ability to deliver and risks or constraints that could prevent action.
    — Adam Feiner, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of prevent
Verb
  • Going forward, the audit asks the Legislature to amend state law to provide clear instruction that prohibits state workers from regularly teleworking outside of California.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Dyed diesel is not available at most ordinary gas stations or truck stops, and it is normally prohibited for highway use.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of prohibit

Browse Nearby Words

rule (on)
rule out
ruler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule%20out. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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