RULES OUT Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

rules out

verb

present tense third-person singular of rule out

as in excludes

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

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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 Well, there are some rules out there already in terms of states requiring that companies list salary ranges in the job descriptions. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Something so bright isn’t fueled with nuclear fusion, which rules out traditional stellar objects. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026 The statute rules out radios, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable or desktop telephones, copiers or other office equipment, furniture, or fixtures. — Zuri Primos july 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026 The paper also rules out a competing explanation. — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 9 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules out

Verb

Germany’s culture minister said that plans to fund Berlin’s arts scene should not support cultural programming that excludes Jewish artists.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
The sticking point in debate negotiations was over whether Marshall qualified under a provision in Nexstar’s national debate participation criteria that excludes candidates who didn’t raise at least 25% of their campaign funds from in-state donors.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of excludes

Verb

The encounter raised questions about enforcement of the state’s Trust Act, which places limits on immigration enforcement activities at Connecticut courthouses and bans the use of masks by law enforcement.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026
Imagine the panic for the world’s most important fuel if the US bans exports.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bans

Verb

Oklahoma officials had argued that allowing the school into the program would violate the First Amendment’s establishment clause, which bars the government from establishing a state religion, an argument the judge rejected.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026
The Israeli government largely bars international journalists from entering the Gaza Strip independently, while Palestinians in Gaza are generally not allowed to leave the Gaza Strip.

— Drew Paul, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of bars

Verb

Detox Denim eliminates synthetic pesticides and harsh chemicals and prioritizes materials and designs engineered for longevity.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
The proposal also prohibits ornamental water features in new developments and eliminates the use of water-intensive cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in new landscaping projects.

— Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of eliminates

Verb

Israel still prevents the entry of the Palestinian committee chosen by the Board of Peace to eventually govern the strip, saying Hamas must first disarm.

— Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
At the same time, that also prevents us from becoming too invested in the fates of people who seem to be dying for our viewing pleasure — and sometimes one another’s.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of prevents

Verb

British officials continue to reference the British Museum Act 1963, which prohibits deaccessioning items from its collection, as justification for holding onto the ancient artifacts.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
On Thursday, county commissioners gave unanimous final approval for a yearlong moratorium that prohibits the county from accepting, processing or approving any large-scale data center applications.

— Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of prohibits

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rules (on)

rules out

ruling

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“Rules out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules%20out. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rules out

verb

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