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
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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
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
There is Persian mythology and mysticism in the film, and ruins in Persian poetry are very significant places.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Israel responded by launching an assault on the enclave that has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and left much of Gaza in ruins.
—Stoyan Nenov, USA Today, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruin
Verb
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
There is Persian mythology and mysticism in the film, and ruins in Persian poetry are very significant places.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Noun
The excavation centers around the Kasta Tomb in Amphipolis, the ruins of an ancient Macedonian city in northern Greece, about 60 miles northeast of Thessaloniki.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Israel responded by launching an assault on the enclave that has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and left much of Gaza in ruins.
—Stoyan Nenov, USA Today, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruin
Verb
-
Several of the firms described in detailed filings how the orders, if implemented, would effectively bankrupt them.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
Fuel consumption for such a vessel would also likely have bankrupted the Japanese Navy.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The fire destroyed two structures — a cabin and an equipment shed — and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, who were rescued by a Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Covers personal property used to secure a loan as collateral if it's destroyed.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The trouble was that the British economy was fragile—most mortgages in the UK at the time had variable rates, so raising interest rates would devastate British homeowners.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
Sarah Konwahahawi Herne was devastated.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Its offspring included Erebus (Darkness) and Nyx, who goes on to produce Ker (destruction), Thanatos (death), and Oizys (pain), among many others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Comments under the brand's post showing a photo of the destruction show support for the cupcake bakery.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Unlike auto insurance, car warranties don’t cover accidental damage, whether that’s from a wreck, an unfortunate confrontation with a shopping cart, or a storm.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
Two other minors who were in the car were later found in the vicinity of the wreck.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Tiger Restaurant & Lounge has closed its downtown Sacramento K Street location, just over two months after filing for bankruptcy.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
-
Sphere’s shares have been on a tear, up 42% year-to-date and 455% from its 2025 April low, when leisure stocks were dragged down by an escalating trade war, and Sphere faced potential bankruptcy for its MSG Networks division.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The railroad arrives, opening the door to the banana company and accelerating the town's downfall, pushing the Buendía family closer to the curse that has haunted them for generations.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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After taking power in 1959, Fidel installed Raúl among the country’s top military brass, due to his successful leadership during the revolutionary activities that led to Batista’s downfall.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
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When devastating floods ravaged central Texas last July, Shiflet gathered a crew and traveled two hours to spend days in the wreckage to help.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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This town of around 200 native Náhuatl people is among many in the central state of Guerrero ravaged by decades of fracturing rival criminal groups warring for territorial control.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruin. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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