RULE OUT Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

rule out

verb

Definition of rule out

as in to exclude

to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of another loss would rule them out of the tournament

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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 In the meantime, virtually nothing has been rebuilt in Gaza, Hamas is weakened but still in power, and a return to all-out fighting cannot be ruled out. — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 They were joined on the sideline by three-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis, who was ruled out after playing just 10 minutes in Monday’s contest. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 The department extended similar easing of sanctions in March and April even though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had ruled out such a move earlier in the year. — Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 Denver will be without its starting corners, Pat Surtain II (ankle) and Riley Moss (ribs), who were both ruled out against the Chargers. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule out

Verb

According to bond counsel, the amendment excludes the city's older 2018 and 2021 bonds from certain utility rate covenant and parity debt calculations.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Its newest Ray-Ban glasses don’t have a camera, excluding a controversial feature that raised widespread privacy concerns.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of exclude

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

The conversation also addressed AI, with Velazquez comparing current anxieties to earlier fears that computer animation and motion capture would eliminate traditional animation jobs.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
But in 2025, Congress eliminated that tax — and in early August, a federal judge in Texas ruled that without it, those other measures for extra vetting were unconstitutional, the Idaho Statesman reported at the time.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of eliminate

Verb

Notre Dame, which shut out Rice 52-0 in the second game, hasn’t had two shutouts in one season since 2002, when the Fighting Irish beat Maryland 22-0 and Rutgers 42-0.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
For generations, the series showed, white men had dominated the department, while Black and women firefighters had been ostracized and put in danger, shut out of the most desirable fire stations and passed over for promotions.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of shut out

Verb

The issue of access to the White House grounds is separate, yet related, to the issue of whether the administration can also freeze out members of the pool because the president does not approve of their editorial decisions.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of freeze out

Verb

Anthropic contacted the task force to disclose the latest incident and has a history of reporting security episodes publicly and tweaking models to prevent more harm.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
There are scores of websites, social-media groups, and YouTube channels dedicated to analyzing and documenting crashes, ostensibly with the goal of preventing future mishaps in flight.

— Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

Federal law prohibits the commercial sale of unapproved drugs, but that hasn't stopped vendors from selling imitation versions of the experimental drug online at a scale with no modern precedent.

— Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Believe it or not, the license prohibits that in the Beach Boys.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Browse Nearby Words

rule (on)

rule out

ruler

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Style

“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule%20out. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rule out

verb

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