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

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has ruled out talking, sending a clear message that the remaining leadership in Iran is prepared to fight, rather than take instructions from Washington. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026

Doctors may rule out these diagnoses with tests. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said an invasion of Iran with ground forces, which would demand a much greater surge of combat power beyond what's already deployed, hasn't been ruled out. —Steven Beynon, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

In addition to Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management), the Magic were without Anthony Black, who was ruled out pre-game due to a right quad bruise. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 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