ruled out 1 of 2

adjective

as in shut out

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ruled out

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rule out
as in excluded
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of another loss would rule them out of the tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ruled out
Verb
Damaging winds and heavy rain are expected to be the primary threats, but hail and tornadoes can’t be ruled out. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 The suspect is believed to be a woman, but investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the teen was attacked by a man wearing women’s clothes, according to a law enforcement source. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026 Advocates for underserved students have not ruled out a repeat of lawsuits if the tests return. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 This stance aligns with a June executive order that explicitly ruled out mandatory government preclearance for new models, the White House said. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 9 July 2026 Australia's leaders historically ruled out doing the same until Delhi signed the treaty. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 Long story short, the goal was ruled out for offside and the Seleção progressed through to the Round of 16. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 The government had initially ruled out extending pub opening hours in the aftermath of England’s last-32 win over DR Congo on Wednesday. — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 2 July 2026 The Constitution’s language ruled out neither of those understandings. — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruled out
  1. stopped
  2. excluded
  3. banned
  4. barred
  5. shut out
  6. eliminated
  7. prohibited
  8. prevented
Adjective
  • Three other vehicles with human drivers then appeared to illegally pass the stopped bus.
    — Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The truck crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the stopped Kia, striking the three pedestrians, CHP said.
    — Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of stopped
Verb
  • On May 28, Johnson received results finding that the DNA profile sampled from one of Brown’s soda bottles could not be excluded as the contributor of the male blood from the victim’s nightgown, the detective wrote.
    — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Prior to Russia being excluded from the G8 in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea, parts of Europe were directly dependent on Russia for oil and gas.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of excluded
Verb
  • The city banned data centers near transit and the Beltline, but this one is trying to get an exception.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • The legislature banned most gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers and other state officials 20 years ago in response to scandals involving former House Speaker Jim Black, a Matthews Democrat.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Definition of banned
Verb
  • The city won a preliminary injunction in Los Angeles Superior Court that barred GLAZA from keeping the money when its contract with the zoo ended last year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • The case was dismissed in July 2016 for abuse of the bankruptcy system, and Yaffe was barred from refiling for 180 days.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Definition of barred
Verb
  • The lefty shut out the Boston Red Sox over seven innings, but the Mets blew a lead in the ninth and went on to lose 3-2 in the final game before the All-Star break.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026
  • Everything starts on defense for Switzerland, which has allowed only three goals in five matches, and which shut out Luis Díaz and Colombia for 120 minutes in the Round of 16.
    — Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of shut out
Verb
  • One of only two Caribbean teams t qualify for this year’s 48-nation tournament, Haiti faced Scotland, Brazil and Morocco before being eliminated in the group stage.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Disparity between unincorporated areas, cities If the POP unit is eliminated, its six officers would return to patrol assignments.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 13, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of eliminated
Verb
  • That year, according to Sacramento Bee archives, the marina operated as usual in April, May and June before the declining water levels ultimately prohibited boating.
    — Corey Schmidt July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Winnetka, Plainfield and Bloomington are among the towns that have voted to ban the sale of kratom products while Rockford has prohibited the sale of synthetic kratom products.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of prohibited
Verb
  • The violence also prevented Migné and members of his coaching staff from visiting Haiti to scout or evaluate players in their home environment.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • For Kat, not seeing results ultimately prevented her from finding self-acceptance.
    — Daisy Schofield, Allure, 13 July 2026
Definition of prevented

Browse Nearby Words

ruled (on)
ruled out
rule (on)
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Cite this Entry

“Ruled out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruled%20out. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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