as in excluding
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of another loss would rule them out of the tournament
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ruling out The poll comes out as White House officials have repeatedly avoided ruling out a ground invasion. —
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026 The Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk was back in court Friday as a state judge denied some efforts by his attorneys to restrict public access to court documents while not ruling out the possibility of closing portions of an upcoming hearing. —CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026 Trump is not ruling out the possibility of military strikes on Iran. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026 Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026 Investigators are not ruling out sabotage carried out by anarchists, citing similarities to the sabotage that targeted the French network during the 2024 Paris Olympics, when France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple malicious acts including arson. —Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026 Once there, Glick quickly gathered information that contradicted claims the authorities had made in ruling out foul play. —Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026 The Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk was back in court Friday as a state judge denied some efforts by his attorneys to restrict public access to court documents while not ruling out the possibility of closing portions of an upcoming hearing. —CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026 Trump is not ruling out the possibility of military strikes on Iran. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026 Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026 Investigators are not ruling out sabotage carried out by anarchists, citing similarities to the sabotage that targeted the French network during the 2024 Paris Olympics, when France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple malicious acts including arson. —Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026 Once there, Glick quickly gathered information that contradicted claims the authorities had made in ruling out foul play. —Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling out
Verb
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Their 32 goals from these situations (excluding penalties) ranks first in England’s top four divisions (level with League One champions Lincoln City).— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
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Cornerstone has acquired international sales rights to James Ashcroft’s horror feature When Darkness Loves Us and will handle sales and distribution, excluding New Zealand and Australia.— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many colleges today have yet to integrate AI into learning, with professors often outright banning use of the technology in the classroom.— Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
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Democrats have refused to fund ICE and Border Patrol unless Republicans agree to major immigration enforcement reforms, such as requiring federal officers to obtain judicial warrants before entering private homes and banning officers from wearing masks.— Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After shutting out Cornell in the semifinals, Hicks made 26 saves against Western Michigan to knock out the defending national champs and send the Pioneers to Vegas.— Alex Wilcox, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
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Brooke Bereuter was masterful in goal for Grapevine shutting out Argyle (18-4-3) until the shootout, including stopping a key penalty kick in the first half.— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Democratic Party’s nightmare scenario would involve both Republican candidates advancing to November’s general election, freezing out Democrats from the governor’s office for the first time since 2011.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
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Minnesota officials said on Thursday that the FBI is taking the lead on the investigation and freezing out state investigators.— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
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The plan includes 90 minutes of downtown parking for just $1, eliminating fees for new builds and remodels and extending the Entertainment Zone across all of downtown.— Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
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Thune maintains there is still considerable opposition within the conference to eliminating the filibuster, even as the GOP widely supports the measure.— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So far, talks have focused on fully reopening the strait, a move critical for global oil transport, and barring Iran's access to nuclear weapons.— Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
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Second and third, barring upsets, are San Antonio and Oklahoma City.— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/ruling%20out. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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