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

The presence of federal agents at Levi’s Stadium has not been ruled out entirely, which led to pressure on the league to confirm whether that presence would be connected to any immigration enforcement operations. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026

José Caballero appears headed toward becoming the Yankees’ everyday shortstop until Anthony Volpe (left shoulder surgery) returns, but at the start of the offseason, general manager Brian Cashman didn’t rule out an upgrade at the position. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Finland has taken bronze at the last two Olympics and World Championships, and having made the top four in all but one of the seven Games to date, they can never be ruled out. —Reuters, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026

Homicide detectives are reportedly also working the case, and foul play has not been ruled out. —Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 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