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rule out

2 syllables

Quick answer

As a verb, rule out means make impossible, especially beforehand.

Meanings of rule out

3 meanings

verb

Make impossible, especially beforehand
Similar: preclude, close out
Include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules
Similar: rule in
Dismiss from consideration or a contest
“John was ruled out as a possible suspect because he had a strong alibi”
“This possibility can be eliminated from our consideration”
Similar: eliminate, winnow out, reject

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

All synonyms for rule out →

verb: make impossible, especially beforehand

preclude close out

verb: include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreem…

rule in

verb: dismiss from consideration or a contest

eliminatewinnow outreject

Nearby words

ruin ruination ruined ruining ruinous rule ruled ruler ruling rum rumba rumble