1
as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
neglect and indifference have proved to be the ruination of more than one marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
although this is a setback, it isn't complete ruination for the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ruination
By now, my colleagues have grown accustomed to my gleeful ruination of the workplace.
—
Ariel Dumas, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025
Wedding fundraising pages are not invoices that require payment under threat of credit ruination.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES
‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US.
—FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
Charged with gun possession and bribing a witness, Mr. Combs stood trial for seven weeks in early 2001, facing the possibility of 15 years in prison — and, possibly, the ruination of his career.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Ariel Dumas, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025
Wedding fundraising pages are not invoices that require payment under threat of credit ruination.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES
‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US.
—FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
Charged with gun possession and bribing a witness, Mr. Combs stood trial for seven weeks in early 2001, facing the possibility of 15 years in prison — and, possibly, the ruination of his career.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
Noun
-
Unfortunately, this strength turned out to be part of its downfall as well.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Subaru enthusiasts may likely look past the vehicle’s main downfall, its subpar range and lack of refinement.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The conflict looks set to batter allies’ economies by driving inflation up and hitting economic growth, while analysts have questioned the feasibility of Washington’s goals — whether regime change, or destruction of Tehran’s nuclear program or its missile stockpiles.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The storm’s heavy rains caused widespread flooding that killed at least 43 people and led to the destruction of banana plantations, sorghum, beans, cassava, coffee and other crops as well as the loss of livestock.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the day since the fire, Shinneman said the H&R Block branch has already been shown a multitude of kindness from members of the community in the wake of the devastation.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The memoir has struck a chord with readers facing unexpected divorces or other marital devastation.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Aquarians are all about maintaining the good of the group, and rarely like to cause havoc.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Working low to high, causing havoc on the forecheck, getting pucks back.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
California lawmakers on Tuesday moved forward on a bill that could lead to the re-introduction of grizzly bears to the state, more than a century after the quarter-ton predators were hunted into local extinction.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Tony told us how large trawlers would go out farther into the water and catch more than locals did, gradually shrinking the cod population to near extinction.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No matter the result, Curry is back and healthy at long last for the Warriors after a right knee injury, and everyone at Chase Center celebrated right along with him in Golden State's 117-116 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Senior Devon Blair will be the top starter for the Vikings and finished with a 16-strikeout contest in a tough loss to Northbridge in the postseason.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Smith said the beams weren’t in the original plan — until a demolition project offered something with history.—
David Caraccio
April 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Saved from demolition and ingenuously repurposed as a restaurant in 2020, the old rail ties used to make the bar, The Depot is now one of the places to be in a growing, bustling city of 25,000.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
