descartar
verbCEFR B2
What does “descartar” mean in English?
to rule out, to dismiss
to rule out, to dismiss (descartar una posibilidad — setting aside an option as not viable or not worth pursuing; no descartar = keeping open)
Example sentences
No podemos descartar la posibilidad de que las cifras hayan sido manipuladas antes de su publicación.
We cannot rule out the possibility that the figures were manipulated before publication.
La comisión decidió descartar todas las propuestas que no cumplieran los criterios de transparencia.
The commission decided to rule out all proposals that did not meet the transparency criteria.
Descartar esta opción demasiado rápido sería un error: merece un análisis más detenido.
Ruling out this option too quickly would be a mistake: it deserves more careful analysis.
How to use it
Descartar means 'to rule out', 'to dismiss', 'to set aside' — removing an option or possibility from consideration. Critical pattern: 'no se puede descartar que + subjunctive' (one cannot rule out that…) is a very common B2 hedging move that keeps a possibility open. 'Descartar una opción' closes it down. The contrast between descartar (close down a possibility) and cuestionar (raise doubts about it) is a key B2 distinction.
Common mistake
Don't use descartar where you mean rechazar (reject outright) or ignorar (ignore). Descartar specifically means removing from consideration — a methodological or deliberative exclusion. The 'no se puede descartar que' pattern always triggers subjunctive, as it expresses a negated epistemic judgment.