rule out

verb

ruled out; ruling out; rules out
Synonyms of rule outnext

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.

Examples of rule out in a Sentence

another loss would rule them out of the tournament
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And their representatives on Monday did not rule out coming back to the city to ask for additional reductions as the work advances. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 Xi has also not ruled out taking the island territory by force. Anna Coren, CBS News, 11 May 2026 The assumption was he would be ruled out for the entire season. Beren Cross, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Chinese leader Xi Jinping has not ruled out using military force to do so. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule out

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rule out was circa 1658

Cite this Entry

“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20out. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

rule out

verb
: to eliminate the possibility of

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