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
-
That both subverts and excludes the traditional TV distribution model, where sellers either adopt programming from their production stablemates or go out and acquire third-party content.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The new law also excludes those convicted of homicide, drug trafficking and serious human rights violations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Wednesday, City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos announced that Marquez and South East have been removed from the Open Division playoffs because of ineligible players that violated CIF bylaw 600, which bans players from participating in outside leagues during the season of their sport.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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The executive order bans non-essential motor vehicle travel in Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes counties, which includes Martha's Vineyard.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The state prosecutors said the Justice Department should review the merger under the Clayton Act, an antitrust law that bars mergers that may substantially lessen competition or create a monopoly.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
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Many of the names appeared to be of Tajik origin, even though, as the outlet noted, Tajik law bars its citizens from fighting in foreign wars.—
Sophie Spiegelberger,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Operations are fully paperless, a NORDAQ filtration system eliminates single-use plastic water bottles, and smart climate control throughout helps curb energy usage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The repeal eliminates all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks and could unleash a broader undoing of climate regulations on stationary sources such as power plants and oil and gas facilities, experts say.—
MATTHEW DALY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images Four years of war between Russia and Ukraine are beginning to take their toll on the countries' demographics as the conflict puts women off — or prevents them — from starting or expanding their families.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Using your bathroom fan properly prevents mold, peeling paint, and structural damage caused by lingering moisture.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Brakman Reiser added that the IRS prohibits using DAF assets to buy gala tickets or support private foundations or non-501(c)(3) organizations.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
-
This usually prohibits wearing offensive and inappropriate clothing, as well as being barefoot.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules%20out. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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