1
as in to bankrupt
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
after he was ruined by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the industrialist was forced to sell his mansion and start all over again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
tornadoes ruined a wide swath of the county
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to devastate
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a huge fire that ruined an entire city block
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
a vicious bombardment that left the building in ruins
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wreck
ruins plural
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the ruins of an abandoned abbey
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
the family faces ruin if the chief breadwinner doesn't find another job very soon
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4
as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
the politician's eventual ruin would be a sexual indiscretion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruin
Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
My nurse mom refuses to let blisters ruin a good trip.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Alper also makes excellent use of the mountainous landscape and the ancient ruins among which the Hazerans live.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruin
Verb
The White House believed that that Iran was intentionally ruining the Mideast peace process, and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich had called Iran the most dangerous nation on Earth.
—Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
My nurse mom refuses to let blisters ruin a good trip.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Citrini argues this leads to systemic financial ruin.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Alper also makes excellent use of the mountainous landscape and the ancient ruins among which the Hazerans live.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruin
Verb
-
When McIntyre filed a civil suit against Wyandotte County, a judge ordered settlement talks, fearing that a hefty jury verdict might bankrupt the struggling county.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
-
But the question of how to get landlords to deliver this housing without bankrupting their buildings matters just as much.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In eastern Afghanistan, the Department of Information and Culture accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas, destroying homes and killing at least 11 people.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Democrat said Iran’s defenses were weakened and Saturday there was an opportunity to destroy remaining military assets.—
Anthony Shoemaker,
The Columbus Dispatch,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oil prices could soar above $100 over the coming days or weeks if the Iran war continues, analysts said, potentially rising even higher if any destruction of oil infrastructure or transit routes appears long-lasting.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Designed for maximum destruction, heavy-hitter Khorramshahr carries a massive 1,500 kg (3,300-pound) warhead with a 2,000 km (1,240 miles) range.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Considered one of the most impressive diving destinations in the Grenadines, it can be paired with an excursion to the wreck of the Puruni, a British gunship that has been sitting beneath 40 feet of water off the coast of the island for more than a century.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Industrial wrecks such as the old Studebaker factory are in the process of becoming data centers and office parks.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The bankruptcy filing came after a lawsuit in Solano County that accused Smart Axe of breaching a contract with the owners of Solano Town Center in Fairfield.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Almost every major capital spending boom during the past 200 years has ended in bankruptcies, consolidations, and tears—but also wins for the victors.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
He was thwarted by Sam two years ago, and Atterton has been desperate for revenge ever since, and has spent his time behind bars planning Sam’s downfall.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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But lawyers for Gavalas' family said Google did nothing to stop his downfall, even as his exchanges with Gemini made clear the vulnerability of his mental state.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When the Assad regime in nearby Syria collapsed in late 2024, its security forces had been hollowed out – and its economy ravaged – by years of civil conflict.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Since the Witch Creek, Guejito and Rice fires in 2007 ravaged large swaths of San Diego County, SDG&E has spent roughly $6 billion in ratepayer funds to reduce the risk of widespread fires.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruin. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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