rule out
verb
ruled out; ruling out; rules out
2
: to make impossible : prevent
Heavy rain ruled out the picnic.
Examples of rule out in a Sentence
another loss would rule them out of the tournament
Recent Examples on the Web
By comparing the signal with known rocks and minerals from Earth, the moon and Mars, the team ruled out an Earth-like crust rich in silica and granite.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Schuster did not rule out mental health issues as a possible contributing factor when asked by reporters on Monday.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
They've been ruled out of Tuesday's game as well.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
The Celtics played without Tatum after he was ruled out about 90 minutes before tipoff with left knee stiffness.
—Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rule out
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Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Schuster did not rule out mental health issues as a possible contributing factor when asked by reporters on Monday.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
They've been ruled out of Tuesday's game as well.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
The Celtics played without Tatum after he was ruled out about 90 minutes before tipoff with left knee stiffness.
—Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rule out
Cite this Entry
“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20out. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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