WordLens

rule out

1 of 1verb
/ˈrul aʊt/
Forms:ruling out,ruled out,ruled out
1

to prevent something from occurring or someone from doing something

  • Proper training and precautions help rule out injuries on the sports field.
  • The thorough background checks helped rule out security risks in the workplace.
  • The safety measures put in place helped rule out accidents on the construction site.
  • By following safety protocols, we can rule out hazards in the laboratory.
  • Rigorous testing processes help rule out software bugs in our applications.
2

to exclude a player or team from participating in the competition

  • The coach had to rule out one of their star players due to a severe injury.
  • The referee had to rule the entire team out for violating the rules.
  • The official decision was to rule the athlete out because of doping allegations.
  • The judges had no choice but to rule the competitor out for unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • In some cases, extreme weather conditions can rule out a sporting event for safety reasons.
3

to eliminate an option or idea from consideration due to it appearing impossible to realize

B2
  • They had to rule the risky investment out because it was too uncertain for their financial plan.
  • After careful examination, they ruled out the idea of a merger as it didn't align with their long-term goals.
  • The doctor had to rule out the possibility of a severe illness before suggesting further tests.
  • They decided to rule certain chemicals out due to safety concerns.
  • The detective couldn't rule any suspects out until further investigation.
Synonyms: