as in excludes
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
another loss would rule them out of the tournament
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 rules out
And to me, that’s very alien to imagine that the Universe could be not following some laws, that there isn’t some set of rules out there that determines what really happens?
—
Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
None of this rules out an agreement on Chinese investments in the US as part of a broader trade deal.
—semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
That rules out fanciful speculation that the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Glen Powell, Austin Butler, Jacob Elordi and others who don’t hail from UK shores are in the running.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Well, that rules out a whole lot of major villains that Reeves may have adapted, after previously doing high profile ones like The Riddler, Catwoman (well, sometimes-villain) and the all-time great Colin Farrell Penguin.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This approach helps untangle cause from coincidence – and rules out confounding factors better than with observational studies.
—New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2025
Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
None of this rules out an agreement on Chinese investments in the US as part of a broader trade deal.
—semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
That rules out fanciful speculation that the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Glen Powell, Austin Butler, Jacob Elordi and others who don’t hail from UK shores are in the running.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Well, that rules out a whole lot of major villains that Reeves may have adapted, after previously doing high profile ones like The Riddler, Catwoman (well, sometimes-villain) and the all-time great Colin Farrell Penguin.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This approach helps untangle cause from coincidence – and rules out confounding factors better than with observational studies.
—New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules out
Verb
-
Rheinmetall values excludes frame and utilization nomination.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Social Security deduction excludes both very low and higher earners.—
Shannon Pettypiece,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The measure has some exceptions, such as undercover operations, SCUBA teams, bomb squads, and SWAT teams, but broadly bans masks.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The law bans fees on the tax or tip portions of customers’ bills.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bill bars the Office of the State Controller from transferring money back to the general fund from June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Lawmakers allege those organizations have engaged in political activity prohibited under federal tax law, which bars 501(c)(3) groups from participating in campaigns for or against candidates.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This eliminates broad, flat sidewalls to deliver the wind-shedding performance for which dome tents are known.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Your cheeks, forehead and jawline stay off the pillow, which eliminates the mechanical folding that creates sleep wrinkles over time.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The seeds and surrounding juices inside uncooked tomatoes can be slightly bitter and astringent, so squeeze them out before chopping the flesh (this also prevents the sauce from getting too watery).—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
This prevents overcooking and ultimately results in juicier kebabs.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Blanche could also change DOJ policy that prohibits prosecutors from even confirming the existence of an investigation and requires them to speak only through their indictments.—
Barbara McQuade,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The United States and China are parties to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits claims of territorial sovereignty on the Moon and other celestial bodies.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules%20out. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
