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
But after the villainous Vecna opened up gates to a treacherous parallel universe called the Upside Down in Stranger Things’ fourth season, Hawkins was left in ruins.
—
Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But all of this will be extremely difficult in a place where most health-care facilities are in ruins.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
In the process, Gaza itself has been largely destroyed with most buildings in ruins.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Israel's two-year assault has left much of the enclave in ruins.
—Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in ruins
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Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But all of this will be extremely difficult in a place where most health-care facilities are in ruins.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
In the process, Gaza itself has been largely destroyed with most buildings in ruins.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Israel's two-year assault has left much of the enclave in ruins.
—Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 14 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2025.
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