rule out
verb
ruled out; ruling out; rules out
2
: to make impossible : prevent
heavy rain ruled out the picnic
Synonyms
Examples of rule out in a Sentence
another loss would rule them out of the tournament
Recent Examples on the Web
The Herald’s investigation also revealed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state agency that investigated the crash, early on ruled out alcohol as a factor in the accident.
—
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Cassidy did not rule out supporting Kennedy, but his less-than enthusiastic comments were a stark contrast to other conservatives who have met with Trump’s pick.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
Not ruling out pardons for violent Jan. 6 rioters
Trump declined to commit to not pardoning Jan. 6 defendants who were charged with violent offenses, including those who attacked police officers, when asked by ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
This headline was updated to clarify that Trump would not rule out using military force to take control of the Panama Canal.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rule out 
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Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Cassidy did not rule out supporting Kennedy, but his less-than enthusiastic comments were a stark contrast to other conservatives who have met with Trump’s pick.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
Not ruling out pardons for violent Jan. 6 rioters
Trump declined to commit to not pardoning Jan. 6 defendants who were charged with violent offenses, including those who attacked police officers, when asked by ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
This headline was updated to clarify that Trump would not rule out using military force to take control of the Panama Canal.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rule out
Dictionary Entries Near rule out
Cite this Entry
“Rule out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20out. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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