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Definitions

lock out

VERB
discharge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
expel let go let one go remove terminate
STRONG
ax bounce bump bust can eject excuse fire give one notice lay off nix oust relieve supersede supplant
WEAK
boot out disencumber displace exempt freeze out kick out let off let out ride out on rail run out of town show the door unload
Antonyms
STRONGEST
employ hire
STRONG
engage keep retain
WEAK
assign delegate
VERB
dismiss
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decline disband dissolve expel let go reject release
STRONG
abolish banish boot bundle chase chuck clear deport detach discard dispatch disperse divorce eject outlaw relegate relinquish repel repudiate rid shed supersede
WEAK
brush off cast off cast out dispense with dispose of do without drive out force out have done with kick out let out push aside push back send off send packing show out slough off sweep away turn out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept allow
STRONG
hold keep legalize permit promote retain
WEAK
appoint employ engage hire maintain preserve secure welcome
VERB
exclude
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ban bar block boycott eliminate ignore omit ostracize preclude prevent prohibit refuse reject remove rule out suspend
STRONG
bate blackball blacklist bounce debar disallow eject embargo evict except interdict obviate occlude oust proscribe repudiate sideline veto
WEAK
close out count out drive out estop force out get rid of keep out leave out pass over put out refuse admittance set aside shut out shut the door on throw out ward off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept add allow approve choose include keep let go open permit ratify sanction support welcome
STRONG
admit take in
WEAK
incorporate
VERB
occlude
Synonyms
STRONG
choke clog close congest curb fill hinder impede obstruct plug seal shut stopper throttle
WEAK
close out leave out stop up
Antonyms
STRONG
advance aid assist clear encourage facilitate forward free help open promote release support unblock unplug unseal unstop
WEAK
allow permit
VERB
shut off/shut out
Synonyms
WEAK
bar beleaguer block out blockade close conceal cover debar discontinue evict fence off hide keep out mask obstruct ostracize refuse seclude shroud veil
Antonyms
WEAK
include welcome
VERB
shut out
Synonyms
WEAK
bar beleaguer block out blockade close conceal cover debar discontinue evict fence off hide keep out mask obstruct ostracize refuse screen seclude shroud shut off veil

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.

At this point, there is virtually no doubt that baseball’s team owners are going to lock out the players after this year’s World Series.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Mikaela Shiffrin was in a league of her own in the last women's World Cup slalom before the Winter Olympics on Sunday to lock out a record ninth title in the discipline.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

The trio’s ultimate goal is to turn the Honmoon gold, which would lock out the demon realm for all time.

From Salon • Jul. 11, 2025

No dates have been set to lock out those with judgments against them.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2025

They hurried to the door that would take them into the stairwell to the top level, where they could go through the water lock, out the caverns, and into freedom in the forest.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.