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 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

What’s more, the new White House framework excludes the Chinese open models entirely, leaving a fast-growing slice of the market unmonitored.

— Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Every unnecessary requirement you list is a filter that excludes someone who could do the job well.

— Marsha Murray, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of excludes

Verb

State law now bans proposition betting in sports — wagers on certain events happening in a game, rather than the game’s outcome — which is a significant source of revenue for the leading prediction markets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
The law also bans the sale of e-bikes that can travel faster than 25 mph, or have motors that produce more than 750 watts of power.

— Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 5 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

The key to most waterproof formulas are waxes or silicones, which protect the pigments from water and prevents it from breaking down.

— Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 3 Aug. 2026
Cut-flower food also prevents bacteria in the vase’s water and maintains the pH level to reduce water bubbles that can clog stems.

— Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of prevents

Verb

The ban prohibits most outdoor fires, including those for trash disposal, yard debris, land clearing, bonfires, and campfires not contained in structures such as fire rings.

— Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
But the school’s dress code prohibits messages that are lewd, indecent, vulgar or profane.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 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 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rules out

verb

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