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
Initial tests have ruled out any potential Achilles injury, Redick said. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026 Tight end Nick Townsend was ruled out for Saturday’s game along with running back Hollywood Smothers and offensive tackle Trevor Goosby, who are out for the season. — Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2026 New research led by planetary scientist Richard Anslow of the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Cambridge has now seemingly ruled out comets as the origin of complex organic molecules on Earth. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Nov. 2026 Some experts believe they could have been ruled out in the early weeks of the investigation based on DNA evidence. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026 The country has also ruled out a copyright-law exemption that would allow AI companies to train models on Australian content without licensing it. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026 So, any housing development therefore would depend on ComEd agreeing to sell, a prospect Knudsen considers realistic but one utility executives have ruled out. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026 Sophomore running back Jon Denman was also ruled out for the matchup with the Wildcats (6-2, 3-2). — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026 Unlike Hilton and previous primary candidates, Becerra had ruled out uncapping the incentive — a position echoed by Newsom in his dramatic announcement this week. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Nov. 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
  • The truck driver swerved to the right to avoid the stopped vehicle, and struck the driver who was standing outside.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The girl with a backpack on could be seen crossing the street while looking at her phone before the stopped truck began moving beside her, in videos obtained by ABC station WPVI and CBS station KYW.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of stopped
Verb
  • Earlier, Trumpian communication actively excluded, discredited, or ignored these views.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Like anyone who may have wanted to testify in front of the school board, they are summarily excluded.
    — Matt Calkins, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of excluded
Verb
  • In July 2025, the City Council banned the N-word and the sexist vulgarity known as the C-word during public comment.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The post also addresses recent reports about a woman named Szilvia Berki, who in October 2015 is said to have received an injunction from Brand and Goldsmith that banned Berki from harassing them.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of banned
Verb
  • The judge also barred the administration from removing trees from the course without court approval.
    — Joe Heim, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Supreme Court barred executing people with intellectual disabilities in 2002, then left the states to define who qualifies, within limits.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of barred
Verb
  • Emma Peschel celebrated her first game for the United by scoring a goal to help shut out Germany 5-0 at the women’s ice hockey worlds on Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Trailing by six at halftime, Utah forced three turnovers and shut out the Cougars (7-2, 4-2) in the second half to keep alive its College Football Playoff hopes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of shut out
Verb
  • However, a change in California law eliminated criminal liability for murder and attempted murder for people convicted as aiders and abettors under the natural and probable consequences doctrine, prosecutors said.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • About $11 billion in unfunded liabilities has been eliminated since 2020 because of surplus alone.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of eliminated
Verb
  • The article reported that the city of Charlotte stifled Adams Outdoor previous requests and prohibited billboard companies from removing trees whose diameters were 4 inches or more.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Trailers are prohibited on the narrow, winding road to the campground, and while RVs are allowed, none of the sites have electrical or water hookups.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of prohibited
Verb
  • But the measures have not prevented the return of severe pollution each year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Centcom said the naval blockade has already prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.
    — Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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