as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
another loss would rule them out of the tournament
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Recent Examples of rule out
The results show that reproduction could pose a real challenge for future space settlers, but it still can’t be ruled out as impossible.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
The age of the remains — possibly several hundred years old — rules out any connection to modern missing persons investigations.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Thune has repeatedly ruled out scrapping the filibuster rules, which set a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026
Her words underscored the seriousness with which the coroner’s office is treating the find, even after ruling out a connection to any active missing persons investigation.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rule out
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
The age of the remains — possibly several hundred years old — rules out any connection to modern missing persons investigations.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Thune has repeatedly ruled out scrapping the filibuster rules, which set a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026
Her words underscored the seriousness with which the coroner’s office is treating the find, even after ruling out a connection to any active missing persons investigation.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rule out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule out
Verb
-
The Senate came to a deal on Friday morning to fund DHS, excluding appropriations for immigration enforcement, but the House Republicans rejected it.—
Tesfaye Negussie,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Overall, the district would have spent more than $3 million of taxpayer money on all of the Education Accelerated contracts — excluding travel expenses — if they had not been terminated last month, documents show.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The country’s then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even went as far as issuing a fatwa, or legal ruling under Islamic law, banning them.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
North Korea banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic but has started easing the restrictions, with a Russian tour group entering the country in 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2020, the Legislature passed a law barring trans women and girls from participating in women’s and girls sports.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The no-fuss interior is pretty sparse, bar a handful of tables and small wine cabinet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now, there's a push to eliminate the primary and allow voters to choose more than one candidate.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The question, then, is not how to eliminate extraction, but how to recognize it as a metabolic relation.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the offense was shut out on four hits in Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to the Angels, Counsell shuffled the lineup.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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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
-
Crespo told us that, yes indeed, he’s still frozen out of the caucus.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Having legal documents on hand, at a lawyer’s office or in a file cabinet not only provides peace of mind, but can prevent conflict and legal fees when tragedy or challenges arise.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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The president has repeatedly said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was the war's top objective.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The city agreed, reducing maximum e-bike speeds to 15 mph on city trails, prohibiting e-bikes on sidewalks and imposing penalties.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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The church, built on what is revered by many Christians as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection, remains closed under Israeli military guidelines prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule%20out. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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