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
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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
-
There is plenty to chew on within the script, but what seems missing is a more concrete interrogation of the ultimate downfall.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But the downfall of the regime and the removal of the country's leaders could represent an even more maximalist — and unpredictable — aim.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The introduction of rats, dogs, cats and stoats, as well as hunting by people and destruction of native forest habitats, drove species of the country’s flourishing flightless birds — the kakapo among them — to near or complete extinction.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Speaking with Spanish language sports publication Diario Deportivo Diez the day after the Honduran club football’s worst defeat in CONCACAF, Bubara lauded LAFC for the 6-1 destruction.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The general store transitions to massive profit margins via every wart of United States history, no significant devastation is spared, no milestone overlooked.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Bass sacked Kristin Crowley a month after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, and her dismissal was followed by finger-pointing between the ex-chief and City Hall over the blaze's devastation and the fire department’s funding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
America’s obsession with betting has created havoc for NBA players, who have faced a torrent of abuse from fans and spoken out publicly about it.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With his size and strength, McDonald can regularly get into the backfield and create havoc.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This year, with a bumper crop of the strange parrot’s favorite berries prompting a rare enthusiasm for mating, those working to save the birds hope for a record number of chicks in February, which would move the kakapo closer to defying what was not long ago believed to be certain extinction.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
In his scenario, this is what finally pushes the technology down the path toward either utopia or human extinction, but in the real world, getting the machines to act by themselves is proving surprisingly difficult.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Leonard exited Friday’s loss against the Lakers with an ankle sprain.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Spurs were fortunate that West Ham United only drew with Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest conceded a stoppage-time goal in their loss to Liverpool.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Monitoring teams were stationed around the demolition zone to check for any radioactive contamination released during the implosion.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His duties, totaling 16-hour workdays, included cleaning construction and demolition work, coordinating workers and hiring contractors.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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