Meaning & use
rule out
To eliminate a possibility from consideration, especially after examining the evidence.
See it in a sentence
The doctors ran several tests to rule out a more serious infection.
Investigators have not ruled out foul play in the disappearance.
A note on using this word
Rule out is most often used in a negative context, meaning to conclude something is not the case, especially in medical or investigative settings.
Words with a similar meaning
eliminateexclude
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
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