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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The governor has not ruled out providing ongoing assistance in some cases but has cautioned legislators that state government cannot afford to backfill all federal cuts. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026 The party has always ruled out any cooperation with the far-right — refusing to consider entering into a coalition government with the AfD or using votes from its lawmakers to get legislation passed. — Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 Many—but not all—clusters have a single dark red or purple floret in the center, so the absence of one does not rule out the plant. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Sep. 2026 For the second straight week, defensive back Chamarri Conner (knee) and left tackle Josh Simmons (back) have been ruled out. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule out

Verb

The sticking point in debate negotiations was over whether Marshall qualified under a provision in Nexstar’s national debate participation criteria that excludes candidates who didn’t raise at least 25% of their campaign funds from in-state donors.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
That job will include all entertainment and sports bookings at the venues (excluding the New York Rangers and New York Knicks), as well as live bookings at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of exclude

Verb

In his first term the White House banned CNN correspondent Jim Acosta from the White House, but a judge ordered his pass returned, citing First Amendment protections.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
In 2018, during his first term, the White House tried to ban journalist Jim Acosta, who then working for CNN, but a court ordered that his press credential be resinstated.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

Grant starts that particular groundswell early, after failing to sing an impressively low note and being eliminated in Round 1.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
To eliminate this obstacle, the ANU research team designed a fluorescent assay named PETra.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of eliminate

Verb

After taking a six-run lead, they were shut out on one hit over the final six innings.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Cypress Creek ended the state’s longest winless streak in a big way, shutting out Lake Buena Vista 32-0 to stop the Bears’ skid at 35 consecutive losses.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of shut out

Verb

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
About Premium Content has Country Spy, a light crime series about Marie-Line Maupain, a spy for the French secret service who is abruptly frozen out by her superiors and sent back to her home town.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of freeze out

Verb

The strike prevented an Iranian flight carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
Fire grows after manhunt keeps crews out The Mineral Fire grew to 18 acres by Monday morning after the armed manhunt prevented firefighters from attacking it for hours.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

The sentiment echoes a broader ban across the United Kingdom from August that prohibits smart glasses in the courtroom.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
In his dissent, Scalia argued that the ESA was written narrowly to prohibit the intentional hunting and killing of vulnerable animals, not to broadly protect species at the population level.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rule out

verb

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