rule out

verb

ruled out; ruling out; rules out

transitive verb

1

: exclude, eliminate

They were ruled out as candidates for the job.

2

: to make impossible : prevent

Heavy rain ruled out the picnic.

Synonyms of rule out

• exclude
• ban
• bar
• eliminate
• shut out
• freeze out
• prevent
• prohibit

Examples of rule out in a Sentence

another loss would rule them out of the tournament

Recent Examples on the Web

Algorithms designed for particular problems, including Shor’s algorithm for factoring large numbers, are not ruled out by the conjecture. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

Hosts Atletico Madrid, too, suffered a huge blow recently, with central defender Cristian Romero ruled out due to a muscle strain. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026

Although both recommended Eisenkot to the president, their support presents a dilemma for some of his prospective coalition partners, who have ruled out depending on Arab parties to establish a government. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Some wintry weather, wet and slushy snow, cannot be ruled out across parts of the northeast corridor including Maryland. — CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rule out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

rule out

verb

: to eliminate the possibility of