1
as in bankrupted
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroyed
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 demolished
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruined
James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
In 1950s Washington, the moral entrepreneurs were members of Congress and expert witnesses who labeled people Soviet collaborators and ruined many of their lives.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Ruling an isolated, ruined, and besieged Gaza Strip will not get Hamas closer to this objective—but building up a strong political presence in the West Bank could, and accepting the latest proposal could free Hamas to do this.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Cincinnati went 2 for 11 on third downs and ruined themselves with penalties.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Tan wipes were in the bin, the towels were ruined, and the housekeeping team had to replace nearly everything.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
The area became a dangerous crossing for hikers after the bridge at Rimrock Lake outlet was ruined in a 2022 flood, rescuers said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
All the problems getting into the ground ruined the trip a bit.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
In 1950s Washington, the moral entrepreneurs were members of Congress and expert witnesses who labeled people Soviet collaborators and ruined many of their lives.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Ruling an isolated, ruined, and besieged Gaza Strip will not get Hamas closer to this objective—but building up a strong political presence in the West Bank could, and accepting the latest proposal could free Hamas to do this.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Cincinnati went 2 for 11 on third downs and ruined themselves with penalties.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Tan wipes were in the bin, the towels were ruined, and the housekeeping team had to replace nearly everything.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
The area became a dangerous crossing for hikers after the bridge at Rimrock Lake outlet was ruined in a 2022 flood, rescuers said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruined
Adjective
-
Owner Jason Boso fixed that, infusing $2 million into the 10-year-old bar on better bathrooms, a covered section of the patio and a re-done kitchen.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas News,
3 Apr. 2023
Verb
-
In the late 1830s, as a devastating financial crisis bankrupted antislavery societies across the North, the movement seemed splintered and powerless to keep up its petition pressure campaign.—
Time,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Multiple rocket explosions nearly bankrupted the company.—
Joel Shulman,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Though most of his property was destroyed in the fire, a carnival operator named Bunny Gibbons bought Gein's car and charged 25 cents for people to view it until authorities shut down the operation.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The Gaza Strip itself has been nearly leveled, with the United Nations estimating 78% of structures having been damaged or destroyed, leaving a monumental task of rebuilding for whoever will govern the enclave next.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The West Fond du Lac Avenue bar, which was once a popular hangout for Black musicians and Milwaukee police officers alike, was demolished in April.—
Mary Spicuzza,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The Jokake Inn closed in the late 1970s and was demolished, except for its Pueblo revival-style belfry towers, which were incorporated into The Phoenician.—
Douglas C. Towne,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Though the looms were in use by the doomed mill for a brief period, RJ Brot, a partner at Exarcha Group, told SJ Denim that Vidalia did not have ownership of the machinery.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Fans of the original series know that Diane is a future ex-wife of Gibbs, meaning that season 2 could very well reveal the origins of their (ultimately doomed) love story.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tennessean photo journalist Andrew Nelles was recognized with a first place award in environmental photography by the 2025 Green Eyeshade awards for a collection of photos documenting the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
-
But Altadena was one of the neighborhoods most ravaged by the fire, and it's located miles away from Eaton Canyon.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With consistent insight, leaders can shift from reactive spending to strategic investing—turning technology from a sunk cost into a competitive advantage.—
Kathleen Hurley,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
With Aguirre’s plan, the efforts will become a sunk cost.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruined. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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