rules 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.

Her death leaves the question of the succession in Thailand unanswered, and the severity of the country's lese majeste law rules out any public discussion of it.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

That might be about all he rules out at this point.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Returns on high‑yield corporate bonds, “arguably the closest liquid substitute for private credit,” have held up fairly well, which rules out the possibility of a market-wide panic.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

This outcome rules out several existing theories and places strong limits on the types of superconducting states that remain viable.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

The anatomical evidence from Phineas rules out nine of these.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman