as in excluding
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
another loss would rule them out of the tournament
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Recent Examples of ruling out
The poll comes out as White House officials have repeatedly avoided ruling out a ground invasion.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
The Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk was back in court Friday as a state judge denied some efforts by his attorneys to restrict public access to court documents while not ruling out the possibility of closing portions of an upcoming hearing.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Trump is not ruling out the possibility of military strikes on Iran.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Investigators are not ruling out sabotage carried out by anarchists, citing similarities to the sabotage that targeted the French network during the 2024 Paris Olympics, when France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple malicious acts including arson.
—Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Once there, Glick quickly gathered information that contradicted claims the authorities had made in ruling out foul play.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
The Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk was back in court Friday as a state judge denied some efforts by his attorneys to restrict public access to court documents while not ruling out the possibility of closing portions of an upcoming hearing.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Trump is not ruling out the possibility of military strikes on Iran.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Investigators are not ruling out sabotage carried out by anarchists, citing similarities to the sabotage that targeted the French network during the 2024 Paris Olympics, when France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple malicious acts including arson.
—Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Once there, Glick quickly gathered information that contradicted claims the authorities had made in ruling out foul play.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling out
Verb
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In 2024, transit ambassadors earned an average of $38,027 in regular pay, excluding part-time workers, according to data RT released to The Sacramento Bee.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The decision was discussed during a March 7 call between the cast — excluding Paul and Mortensen — and ABC executives.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While many of the California laws banning the political use of public office are civil statutes, one is a criminal statute.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Colorado just enacted the nation’s first law banning arrests based solely on the results of colorimetric drug tests – a field test widely used by law enforcement across the country.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After shutting out Cornell in the semifinals, Hicks made 26 saves against Western Michigan to knock out the defending national champs and send the Pioneers to Vegas.—
Alex Wilcox,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Brooke Bereuter was masterful in goal for Grapevine shutting out Argyle (18-4-3) until the shootout, including stopping a key penalty kick in the first half.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Democratic Party’s nightmare scenario would involve both Republican candidates advancing to November’s general election, freezing out Democrats from the governor’s office for the first time since 2011.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Minnesota officials said on Thursday that the FBI is taking the lead on the investigation and freezing out state investigators.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Far-right religious leaders increasingly associated with the administration are openly advocating for eliminating women’s political participation and voting rights, signaling where these purges may lead if the pattern continues unchecked.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The teams faced off Saturday night and the Penguins beat them 9-4, eliminating the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions from playoff contention.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crew talked to Artemis II science officer Kelsey Young throughout the entire flyby, barring a 40-minute period during which the spacecraft was behind the moon and out of reach of radio signal.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2026
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The hearing follows a Justice Department request from last month to dissolve a preliminary injunction barring the government from re-detaining Abrego Garcia, so he can be deported to the West African nation of Liberia.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling%20out. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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