in ruins

idiom

: destroyed with some pieces or parts remaining
The building was/lay in ruins.
sometimes used figuratively
After her death, the family was in ruins.

Examples of in ruins in a Sentence

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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 The education system is in ruins. Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025 With Israeli military units pulling back, Palestinians are returning to destroyed neighborhoods as much of Gaza is in ruins. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for in ruins

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“In ruins.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20ruins. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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