Preclude (verb)

1. To prevent something from happening or being done; to make something impossible.
2. To rule out something as a possibility.

Origin:

From the latin praecludere, from prae- ("before") + claudere ("to shut").

Examples:

1. His lack of qualifications precluded him from getting the job.
2. The bad weather conditions precluded the possibility of a picnic.
3. His poor performance on the test precluded him from advancing to the next level.
4. The company's financial troubles precluded any further expansion.
5. The rules of the game precluded any cheating or foul play.