1
as in bankrupting
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 destroying
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 wrecking
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 ruining
And broadcasting your irritation too loudly risks ruining the atmosphere for everyone else just as much as their yelling or off-key chants.
—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Just as Alexis Bellino flubbed her second chance by aligning herself too closely with Johnny J, an Ed Hardy snapback that refuses to die, Gretchen is ruining hers by trying to relitigate things from the Obama Administration.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Lewis Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari and crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix, ruining a chance to nab a good haul of points.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Thanks, man, for ruining an almost-letter-perfect red-carpet walk.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Here’s how often to wash your shoes—and how to do it without ruining them.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The real victory, Henderlite argues, isn’t about ruining your ex in court but about walking away with a better life than before.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Injuries, by that point, were ruining the striker’s time at Volkswagen Arena.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
They’re protected by a waterproof membrane that reviewers say allows rain and snow to roll right off without seeping into your socks and ruining your day.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Just as Alexis Bellino flubbed her second chance by aligning herself too closely with Johnny J, an Ed Hardy snapback that refuses to die, Gretchen is ruining hers by trying to relitigate things from the Obama Administration.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Lewis Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari and crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix, ruining a chance to nab a good haul of points.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Thanks, man, for ruining an almost-letter-perfect red-carpet walk.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Here’s how often to wash your shoes—and how to do it without ruining them.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The real victory, Henderlite argues, isn’t about ruining your ex in court but about walking away with a better life than before.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Injuries, by that point, were ruining the striker’s time at Volkswagen Arena.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
They’re protected by a waterproof membrane that reviewers say allows rain and snow to roll right off without seeping into your socks and ruining your day.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruining
Verb
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See video … WATCH TOM HOMAN – With a secure border, the US is bankrupting cartels.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Yet either change could risk bankrupting the program.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The military has also been targeting and destroying high-rise buildings surrounding displacement camps, crowding Gaza City’s residents into ever-smaller spaces.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Ultimately, North was found guilty of destroying official documents, accepting a home security system as a gift and obstructing Congress in 1989.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The sophomore, who is the youngest player ever voted captain under coach Jay Norvell, was a one-man wrecking crew against the Huskies with a game-high 13 tackles.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
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For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But on an evening back in July, inordinate rainfall led to unrelenting floodwaters ravaging the lower level of Pledger’s home.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
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Spain is deploying 500 more soldiers to fight wildfires ravaging the country, as southern Europe faces a wave of extreme climate events fueled by heatwaves.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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About 90% of the former Spring Hill Mall is gone and work demolishing the final anchor store set to begin in the next couple of weeks, officials said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From delivering disaster relief during devastating recent floods to investing in food banks, the business’ presence extends far beyond its checkout lines.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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While the negative human-health effects of smoke from the Glass Fire have been well documented, the toxic brown blanket covering the Napa Valley is also devastating bee populations, said local beekeeper John Sevigny.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite the ongoing discourse of economic slowdown, tariff threats and interest rate concerns, the richest Americans are shattering wealth records.—
Forbes Press Releases,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The result is nonetheless shattering, for the characters and the audience.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shoplifting became a political lighting rod, and videos of thieves smashing store windows and grabbing merchandise rocketed across the news and social media as a symbol of a breakdown across cities.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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While Bills Mafia holds dear traditions like smashing into tables and dousing a superfan in condiments before games, the group also developed a philanthropic bent.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruining. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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