ruinate

1 of 2

adjective

ru·​in·​ate ˈrü-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce ruinate (audio)
-nət
: brought to a state of ruin
Tramping over the fields looking for the ruinate Thistlewood house was an experience I won't soon forget …Richard B Sheridan

ruinate

2 of 2

verb

ru·​in·​ate ˈrü-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce ruinate (audio)
ruinated; ruinating; ruinates

transitive verb

archaic
: to damage or destroy (something) completely : ruin
I will not ruinate my father's house, Who gave his blood to lime the stones together …William Shakespeare
I guess they'll ruinate the crops yet, and make the ground so everlasting foul …Thomas Chandler Haliburton

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1538, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1547, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruinate was circa 1538

Dictionary Entries Near ruinate

Cite this Entry

“Ruinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruinate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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