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 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 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

The survey revealed that parents spend about $466 per month on family-friendly retail and experiences, which excludes essentials.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
The Taliban regime systematically excludes half the population from any kind of political representation; the rest of the world should not follow suit.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of excludes

Verb

Six of the seven individual plaintiffs were ultimately found responsible for violating FIU Regulation 110, which bans protests and other expressive activities inside university buildings.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Under national rules, farmers in the Amazon must preserve 80% of their land and may legally clear the remaining 20%, while the moratorium bans any deforestation, even when permitted by law.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of bans

Verb

The law bars force, threats, or physical obstruction intended to interfere with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026
Thursday’s party-line vote repealed the national broadcast ownership rule, which bars a single company from reaching more than 39% of US TV households over the public airwaves.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of bars

Verb

This year, however, the Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama to use a map more favorable to Republicans, which eliminates one of Alabama's two majority-Black seats.

— Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
This eliminates manual handoffs, reduces errors and ensures cash flow is tracked from the first quote, not after the fact.

— Ashish Srimal, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of eliminates

Verb

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prevents regulated entities, such as hospitals, from disclosing identifiable private information to third parties under most circumstances, unless the patient agrees.

— Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
Strategic stillness strengthens emotional intelligence, reduces fatigue, and prevents burnout.

— Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of prevents

Verb

The new law prohibits drugmakers from restricting the number or types of pharmacies that hospitals and other providers can contract with to dispense medications to their patients through a federal program called the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Lemon and several other journalists have been charged with violating the FACE Act, which prohibits people from intimidating or interfering with individuals’ constitutional right to the freedom of religion.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rules out

verb

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