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
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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
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Recent Examples of ruination
On the left side of the stage, the ruination of the world around Tuesday and Weeks is symbolized by the show’s most astonishing physical feature: Shipley’s magnificent creation of glow-in-the-dark coral-like formations clinging to two other columns.
—
Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026
And to think that many thought MLB Free Agency in 1976 was the ruination of the sport.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Wedding fundraising pages are not invoices that require payment under threat of credit ruination.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026
And to think that many thought MLB Free Agency in 1976 was the ruination of the sport.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Wedding fundraising pages are not invoices that require payment under threat of credit ruination.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
Noun
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As Nick Saban mentioned, the former Alabama coach insists that the current system is going to be the downfall of athletic programs across the country.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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Last month, the government also charged a special forces soldier who made over $400,000 from Polymarket trades betting on the downfall of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Noun
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She was arrested at a hotel near the barn and booked at the Clark County Juvenile Hall on 12 counts of animal cruelty, including intentionally aiming or torturing a horse, as well as three counts of malicious destruction of property.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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The teen, who was at a nearby hotel, was taken into custody and booked for 12 counts of willful/malicious kill/maim/torture animal -- horse and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000, police said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The unexplained detonation of explosives stored by one of Myanmar’s rebel armies has killed dozens, the militia that controls the village and witnesses said Monday, as the search for survivors continued amid widespread devastation at the site.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
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Leigh opened up about the devastation of his loss last month.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The Hornets thrived all season by creating havoc on the base paths.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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Federico Chiesa Even though injuries have played havoc with Liverpool’s attack, Chiesa has been unable to secure a more meaningful role.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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For months, the loudest voices in artificial intelligence—including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei—warned that entry-level white-collar jobs were headed for extinction.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
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As this natural history points out, birds are dinosaurs—the only ones who survived the last extinction event.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
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In that loss, USC stranded 13 runners, struck out 12 times and left men in scoring position in each of the first seven innings.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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The Trojans followed that with three consecutive singles to load the bases and chase Ciscar, who pitched two-plus innings of relief after logging just two outs as Miami’s starter in Saturday’s blowout loss to Florida.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The list highlights some of the community's most historic landmarks, either shuttered or at risk of demolition.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
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The annual event marks the anniversary of the estate’s rescue from potential demolition by Flagler’s granddaughter, Jean Flagler Matthews, who established the Flagler Museum in 1959.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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