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Dictionary.com
Definitions

rule out

VERB
exclude, reject
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avert ban cancel dismiss eliminate forbid preclude prevent prohibit revoke suspend
WEAK
abolish bate count out debar deter except forestall forfend leave out not consider obviate proscribe recant stave off ward off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept aid allow approve authorize help keep permit sanction welcome
WEAK
add include

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.

Health officials can’t rule out that additional hantavirus cases may emerge in the cruise ship outbreak, but beyond the ship the risk remains low.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

He adds, “That’s not to say it couldn’t happen. I don’t think we should rule out any scenario.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

It allows researchers to rule out the existence of axions with certain characteristics within the tested mass range, especially those that would interact more strongly with photons.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

Such dismal inflation figures would appear to rule out any further Fed rate cuts this year.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

That might seem to rule out both rapid space travel and travel back in time.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking