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
Michael and Robert’s charges were dismissed after detectives admitted to unethical interrogation tactics, including holding a gun to Michael’s head and withholding key evidence that would rule out Maurice’s gun as the murder weapon.
—
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Damaging winds in that area could not be ruled out.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can involve evaluation of symptoms, physical examination, genetic tests, and amyloid PET scan, as well as ruling out other causes of dementia.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2025
If your libido has taken a dip, rule out physical causes first.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule out
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.
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Damaging winds in that area could not be ruled out.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can involve evaluation of symptoms, physical examination, genetic tests, and amyloid PET scan, as well as ruling out other causes of dementia.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2025
If your libido has taken a dip, rule out physical causes first.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
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 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share