RULE OUT Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

rule out

verb

Definition of rule out

as in to exclude

to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of another loss would rule them out of the tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of rule out Both leading blocs have ruled out the possibility of forming a government with the two main Arab parties, Ra’am and the Joint List. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2026 Clarke was ruled out for the rest of the game for what the Kings called an upper-body injury. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 Several opposition parties have also previously ruled out such an arrangement. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 Guard Kadyn Proctor also remains in concussion protocol but was ruled out for Sunday. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule out

Verb

The proposals, which are backed by the political action committee Building a Better California, include a ban on new taxes on financial assets and other personal property, a category that excludes real estate.

— SOPHIE AUSTIN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
The model excludes the influence of living organisms, allowing scientists to examine how a planet’s systems could evolve without biology.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of exclude

Verb

Right now, California bans public money from funding political campaigns, except in a handful of cities like Berkeley and San Francisco.

— Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The First World War did cause the telephone industry to be nationalized for a year, but this didn’t make much difference for users, notwithstanding a decree in Indiana that banned speaking German on the phone.

— Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

In 1994, Defense Secretary Les Aspin rescinded the risk rule policy but kept in place the exclusion that barred women from serving in direct ground combat units below the brigade level.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
The new registry comes after West Hollywood officials in March barred discrimination against polyamorous people.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of bar

Verb

The decision to suspend the football program eliminated last week’s set of games and another this week.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
At a hearing last week, as Assembly committee discussed measures including eliminating the $750 million cap, allowing above-the-line expenses, expanding eligibility, and extending the sunset date.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of eliminate

Verb

Bass has also accused Raman of freezing out people in her own Hollywood Hills council district who disagree with her.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
The lawyer said Panahi discovered that court hearings were underway against him after his bank accounts were frozen out of the blue.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of freeze out

Verb

The district also said that Beyer has made additional counseling and support services available to student-athletes and that students and staff undergo annual training intended to prevent harassment.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The administration has avoided publicly announcing these operations to prevent signaling a return to large-scale warfare.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

The policy prohibits the use of surveillance technology, discriminatory practices and unauthorized data collection.

— James Leigh, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Mahendra said the suspects would be charged under Article 258 of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code, which prohibits the unlawful interception, recording, diversion, alteration, obstruction or monitoring of nonpublic electronic communications.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Browse Nearby Words

rule (on)

rule out

ruler

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Style

“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule%20out. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of rule out

verb

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