ruination

noun

ru·​in·​a·​tion ˌrü-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce ruination (audio)

Examples of ruination in a Sentence

Water pollution is causing the ruination of the fishing industry. neglect and indifference have proved to be the ruination of more than one marriage
Recent Examples on the Web The aftershocks of the Vietnam War and the ruination of family legacy also came into play in Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024 Athens used its financial power to abuse its allies and in doing so precipitated its own ruination. Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2020 There’s a scene, an almost 14-minute long take, that centers on Otilia at her boyfriend’s birthday party, saying next to nothing, as the elders around her lambaste her generation for the ruination of traditional values. Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024 In essence, not properly processing our body’s needs and its requirements tempts ruination. Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ruination 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruination was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near ruination

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

ruination

noun
ru·​in·​a·​tion ˌrü-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce ruination (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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