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Synonyms

rule out

British  

verb

  1. to dismiss from consideration

  2. to make impossible; preclude or prevent

    the rain ruled out outdoor games

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rule out Idioms  
  1. Eliminate from consideration, exclude, as in The option of starting over again has been ruled out . [Second half of 1800s]

  2. Prevent, make impossible, as in The snowstorm ruled out our weekly rehearsal . [First half of 1900s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This ruled out the Laacher See eruption as the source of the Greenland platinum spike.

From Science Daily

Before the conflict began, analysts had predicted a cut in the Bank rate at this meeting, but upheaval in the markets and a higher oil price have all but ruled out such a move.

From BBC

The Fed’s decision, which was in line with expectations, likely ruled out a worst-case scenario for investors.

From Barron's

She said vaccines held by the government would be used for NHS patients, including students in Kent, but it would not rule out supplying some to pharmacies.

From BBC

However, Hill said the government has not entirely ruled out allowing tech companies to use copyrighted content to train AI models without a license.

From BBC