Rule Out (Verb)
Meaning 1
Include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules.
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The audit determined that the company's financial reports were not fraudulent, and the investigation could rule out any further action.
- By following the given criteria, the judges were able to rule out any disqualified contestants before announcing the final winner.
- After conducting an investigation, the police were able to rule out a robbery and suspected the house fire to be an arson attack.
- The company's HR department was careful to rule out any employees who did not have the required experience for the management position.
- Based on the evidence, the court decided to rule out the new testimony due to inconsistencies in the witness's previous statements.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Make impossible, especially beforehand.
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The test results rule out any further investigation into the matter.
- His past criminal record would rule out his chances of getting the job.
- The lack of evidence rules out the possibility of a trial.
- The new security measures rule out the possibility of another breach.
- Her allergies rule out any possibility of her taking that medication.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
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".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The doctor ordered more tests to rule out any other potential causes of the symptoms.
- After interviewing several witnesses, the detective was able to rule out one of the primary suspects.
- The low salary will likely rule out many qualified applicants from applying for the job.
- Scientists ran additional experiments to rule out any variables that might affect the results.
- The recent scandal will likely rule out the politician's chance of winning the upcoming election.