in ruins
idiom
: destroyed with some pieces or parts remaining
The building was/lay in ruins.
—sometimes used figurativelyAfter her death, the family was in ruins.
Examples of in ruins in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two and a half minutes later, most of the town lay in ruins, consumed first by earthquake and then by fire.
—
Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
His parents’ house was in ruins, their belongings scattered.
—Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
His parents' house was in ruins, their belongings scattered.
—CBS News, 19 May 2025
The conflict that has created the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe, according to the U.N.
In Khartoum, street after street lies in ruins, lined with skeletal apartment blocks and broken storefronts.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for in ruins
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Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
His parents’ house was in ruins, their belongings scattered.
—Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
His parents' house was in ruins, their belongings scattered.
—CBS News, 19 May 2025
The conflict that has created the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe, according to the U.N.
In Khartoum, street after street lies in ruins, lined with skeletal apartment blocks and broken storefronts.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for in ruins
Cite this Entry
“In ruins.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20ruins. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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