RULE OUT Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

rule out

verb

Definition of rule out

as in to exclude

to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of another loss would rule them out of the tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 rule out To succeed, researchers must rule out every potential combination of classical proof and quantum proof-checking algorithm. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2026 Deputies found Pelosi a short time later and identified him as the person responsible for the crash, the sheriff’s office said, adding that alcohol was ruled out as a contributing factor. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Investigators don’t believe that the driver was intoxicated, but distracted driving has not been ruled out as a potential cause of the accident, according to police. — Mary Ella Hastings july 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 Additional observations steadily refined the asteroid's orbit, eliminating any possibility of a collision in 2029 and also ruling out any impact threat for at least the next century, according to NASA. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule out

Verb

More than 84% of dogs in the study showed at least mild signs of fear and anxiety in everyday situations, excluding learned fears related to grooming activities like nail trimming and bathing.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Nordic combined—the only Winter Olympics discipline to exclude women entirely—has been removed from the program.

— Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of exclude

Verb

A number of Russian regions have banned the use of large canisters that hold around five gallons to prevent fuel hoarding.

— Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Twenty-seven states currently have laws banning trans girls and women from participating against cisgender women and girls.

— Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

Rodriguez, who has expressed some interest in the proposal, said city leaders had not determined how county election officials would issue separate ballots for voters who would be barred from state and national contests.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked a new law in Virginia barring federal law enforcement from wearing masks.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of bar

Verb

Solar power and advanced water recycling systems would eliminate the need for utility hookups, only requiring occasional deliveries of potable water and propane to run the systems.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The 2026 World Cup party will go on without any of its three hosts, as Team USA was outclassed 4-1 by Belgium Monday night and eliminated in the Round of 16.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of eliminate

Verb

Win yesterday, come back home, important homestand before the All-Star break, and we’re shut out.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
France survived Paraguay's physical gameplan to beat La Albirroja, the red and white, 1-0 to advance to play Morocco, which shut out Canada on Saturday 3-0, in a quarterfinal on July 9 in Foxboro, Mass.

— Sean Gregory, Time, 5 July 2026

Definition of shut out

Verb

Years of soaring home prices, especially in the early part of this decade when rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy, have left many would-be homebuyers frozen out of the market.

— Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
Years of soaring home prices, especially in the early part of this decade when rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy, have left many would-be homebuyers frozen out of the market.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026

Definition of freeze out

Verb

Cloud cover prevented a California Highway Patrol helicopter from reaching the injured climber directly, forcing the rescue to unfold in stages.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Increasing staff at medical facilities during heat waves could also prevent unnecessary deaths.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

Freedom 250 says blankets are allowed, but lawn chairs, coolers, drink tumblers and aerosol sunscreen are prohibited.

— Mike Stunson, USA Today, 3 July 2026
In February, a federal judge halted a California law that prohibited federal officers from wearing masks while on duty.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of prohibit

Browse Nearby Words

rule (on)

rule out

ruler

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Style

“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule%20out. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of rule out

verb

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