as in excludes
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
another loss would rule them out of the tournament
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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
-
This definition excludes some workers covered by state or labor contract mandates.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The deal excludes Unilever’s food business in India, Nepal and Portugal.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The law bans the enforcement of foreign or religious law — particularly Sharia Law, the Islamic code.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The study found no effect on the rate of suicides, but showed higher rates of homicides and gun homicides in places where Sunday bans on alcohol sales has been repealed.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The law, which takes effect July 1, bars courts and other adjudicatory bodies from enforcing provisions of foreign or religious law, with particular emphasis on the Islamic code known as Sharia law.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The plan also eliminates the $1,000-per-seat wastewater fee for new builds and remodels.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
No policy could accelerate lenacapavir’s implementation more than one that eliminates the drug’s marginal cost.—
Michael Rose,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Flexi-form technology prevents creasing, while light refracting pigments blur the look of fine lines and texture.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
This removes debounce delay, prevents mechanical wear, and eliminates issues like accidental double-clicking.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Welcoming City Ordinance in Chicago prohibits police from participating in civil immigration enforcement operations or assisting ICE.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Min Aung Hlaing, who holds the rank of senior general, had earlier relinquished his post of the commander-in-chief because the constitution prohibits the president from simultaneously holding the top military position.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules%20out. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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