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

Relevance

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 But while those will provide short-term relief, the currency is expected to weaken toward the end of the year and mid-2027, and a 100 rupee-per-dollar mark could not be ruled out, strategists said. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 The Chargers have ruled out five starters, including right tackle Joe Alt, left guard Kayode Awosika, wide receiver Tre’ Harris, cornerback Donte Jackson and safety Derwin James. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 The main threat will be straight-line damaging winds, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. — Justin Lewis, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Cornerback Cobie Durant will miss his fourth consecutive game and backup offensive tackle Drew Shelton will miss a second consecutive game with hamstring injuries, as both were ruled out on Friday. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule out

Verb

According to bond counsel, the amendment excludes the city's older 2018 and 2021 bonds from certain utility rate covenant and parity debt calculations.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Its newest Ray-Ban glasses don’t have a camera, excluding a controversial feature that raised widespread privacy concerns.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of exclude

Verb

In 2013, Facebook pushed updates to its Android app outside the Google Play store, prompting Google to ban the practice.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Multiple states now restrict forever chemicals, with Minnesota last year banning the intentional addition of PFAS to 11 categories of consumer products, including dental floss.

— Margaret Hetherman The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

The Chicago Cubs secured a permanent injunction this month barring neighboring facility Wrigley View Rooftop from selling tickets to watch games, concerts and other events at Wrigley Field.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
After Penix underwent an MRI earlier this week, Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that the quarterback is on track to start Sunday’s game, barring any setbacks.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bar

Verb

After a month, the ketogenic group showed clear metabolic improvements; the more striking psychiatric and cognitive gains turned up at four months—by which point the diet had been offered to everyone, eliminating the control-group comparison.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Manganese dioxide helps absorb and break down acetic acid, eliminating the odor.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of eliminate

Verb

Rice quarterback Jacurri Brown had touchdown runs of 50 and 78 yards, but the Owls (1-6, 0-3) were shut out over the final 40 minutes and 59 seconds.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Todd also mentioned feeling shut out from Grace’s thoughts and decision-making process; of course he’s been unsettled and worried as well as resentful.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shut out

Verb

Wayne State University psychology professor Hannah Schacter says changes during adolescence make teenagers unusually sensitive to acceptance and rejection, which is why being frozen out of a group chat can register as a real loss.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
The issue of access to the White House grounds is separate, yet related, to the issue of whether the administration can also freeze out members of the pool because the president does not approve of their editorial decisions.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of freeze out

Verb

Kenyan President William Ruto said in 2023 that government agencies should have been able to prevent the deaths.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
The titanium frame will naturally handle all kinds of impact, and the flashlight's battery chamber is sealed to prevent water damage.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

Federal law prohibits the commercial sale of unapproved drugs, but that hasn't stopped vendors from selling imitation versions of the experimental drug online at a scale with no modern precedent.

— Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Believe it or not, the license prohibits that in the Beach Boys.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Browse Nearby Words

rule (on)

rule out

ruler

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rule out

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes