1
as in bankrupts
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ravages
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 destroys
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
as in rubble
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the ruins of an abandoned abbey
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruins
Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 25 Jan. 2026
However, too much acid ruins the dish.
—Lewis Schiff, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Following the adventures of the titular sheep, the franchise’s latest takes place at Mossy Bottom Farm on Halloween Eve, watching as excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
In fact, some of the greatest novels are about how reading ruins lives—starting with the book often considered the first modern novel, Don Quixote.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Following an economic downturn and a devastating freeze that ruins the local citrus industry, the Sentinel and Reporter consolidate operations and become the Sentinel-Reporter.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Fear is a powerful emotion that ruins our quality of life.
—Clay Stauffer, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Dec. 2025
Huchuy Qosqo Huchoy Qosqo in the Sacred Valley passes through picturesque countryside and rural communities, and ends at some of the best preserved, and least-visited, ruins in Peru.
—Thomas Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
Emily ruins her stylish outfit with a giant Central Perk T-shirt, the spoils of war.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The ruins of one of what was once the northernmost bishopric sat nearby.
—Tim Neville, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Seeped in history, Messinia is rich with classical temples, Byzantine churches, and craggy medieval castles (a stomp up to the ruins at Pylos is a must, for the breathtaking 360-degree views).
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
In Rhyolite, the ruins of a bank, bottle house, and train depot serve as reminders of a once-booming mining town.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
After a devastating fire reduced a Scottish church to rubble, an unexpected discovery was made beneath the ruins — uniting a grieving congregation.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The park features several hiking trails of varying difficulty, including trails that lead to Collings Castle, with its ruins sitting above Turner Falls.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Another hint comes later in the episode, when the Vault 31 crew explores the ruins of the Vault-Tec HQ.
—Jack King, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2026
Using those newfound skills, the Creature returns to the ruins of the tower and reads letters that reveal the truth of its creation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Exposure to high humidity and low temperatures can severely alter these items, which not only ruins their aesthetic beauty but also impacts their sound.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 25 Jan. 2026
However, too much acid ruins the dish.
—Lewis Schiff, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Following the adventures of the titular sheep, the franchise’s latest takes place at Mossy Bottom Farm on Halloween Eve, watching as excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
In fact, some of the greatest novels are about how reading ruins lives—starting with the book often considered the first modern novel, Don Quixote.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Following an economic downturn and a devastating freeze that ruins the local citrus industry, the Sentinel and Reporter consolidate operations and become the Sentinel-Reporter.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Fear is a powerful emotion that ruins our quality of life.
—Clay Stauffer, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Dec. 2025
Huchuy Qosqo Huchoy Qosqo in the Sacred Valley passes through picturesque countryside and rural communities, and ends at some of the best preserved, and least-visited, ruins in Peru.
—Thomas Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
Emily ruins her stylish outfit with a giant Central Perk T-shirt, the spoils of war.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Noun
Homes and infrastructure lie in ruins.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The ruins of one of what was once the northernmost bishopric sat nearby.
—Tim Neville, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Seeped in history, Messinia is rich with classical temples, Byzantine churches, and craggy medieval castles (a stomp up to the ruins at Pylos is a must, for the breathtaking 360-degree views).
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
In Rhyolite, the ruins of a bank, bottle house, and train depot serve as reminders of a once-booming mining town.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
After a devastating fire reduced a Scottish church to rubble, an unexpected discovery was made beneath the ruins — uniting a grieving congregation.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The park features several hiking trails of varying difficulty, including trails that lead to Collings Castle, with its ruins sitting above Turner Falls.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Another hint comes later in the episode, when the Vault 31 crew explores the ruins of the Vault-Tec HQ.
—Jack King, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2026
Using those newfound skills, the Creature returns to the ruins of the tower and reads letters that reveal the truth of its creation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruins
Verb
-
Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2026
-
This horror ravages Africa far beyond Nigeria.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
An excuse or explanation by itself, even while being transparent, destroys trust.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Beyond the immediate loss of land, erosion frequently exposes or destroys historic and archaeological sites.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The United Nations Office for Project Services says Gaza has more than 60 million tons of rubble, enough to fill nearly 3,000 container ships.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The United Nations says unexploded shells and missiles are everywhere in Gaza, posing a threat to people searching through rubble to find their relatives, belongings and kindling.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Michael Winner’s gritty urban thriller starred Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey, an everyman architect who becomes a vigilante after a brutal assault devastates his family.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
13 Nov. 2025
-
Americans are used to thinking about automation as something that devastates factory towns in the heartland.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This process wrecks kidney and heart tissue, causing the heart to enlarge and blood vessels to become stiffer, impeding circulation and setting the stage for clots.—
Jyoti Madhusoodanan,
Scientific American,
16 Dec. 2025
-
The larger dragon has two car launchers and a fire-breathing effect that wrecks passing cars.—
Clint Davis,
PEOPLE,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to clearing debris, Guard officials said, troops have assisted more than 200 people stranded in vehicles and homes and given nearly 300 emergency and healthcare workers rides to work.—
Sophie Bates,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Already too much of Havana – a once beautiful city now littered with debris from buildings collapsing under years of neglect – looks like a war zone.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Set in the final days of World War II, the film follows a small unit of American soldiers sent behind enemy lines to locate the wreckage of an unidentified object.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Now, dedicated fans and customers of the longtime restaurant known for its unique take on Midwestern tacos are rallying behind the beloved spot aiming to keep the business afloat in the midst of the wreckage that has now temporarily closed its doors.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruins. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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