rule out

verb

ruled out; ruling out; rules out

transitive verb

1
2
: to make impossible : prevent
heavy rain ruled out the picnic

Examples of rule out in a Sentence

another loss would rule them out of the tournament
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
China considers Taiwan to be a red line and claims it as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification. Michael D. Carroll and Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 Lanvin has not yet decided on its collection calendar in future, though Shukla did not rule out a return to the main February/March and September/October Paris Fashion Weeks, when the brand usually unfurled its coed displays in the past. Miles Socha, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024 Now, the Jets are actively searching for his replacement — though Ulbrich hasn’t been ruled out as a candidate. Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024 Trump has so far explicitly ruled out the return of two previous senior officials: former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Avery Lotz, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rule out 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rule out was circa 1658

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 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

rule out

verb
: to eliminate the possibility of

More from Merriam-Webster on rule out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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