in ruins
idiom
: destroyed with some pieces or parts remaining
The building was/lay in ruins.
—sometimes used figurativelyAfter her death, the family was in ruins.
Examples of in ruins in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In response, Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas, waging a destructive campaign that has left large portions of the densely populated Palestinian territory in ruins.
—
Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
As the war moves into its second year, the death toll from the Israeli campaign in Gaza is approaching 43,000, with the densely populated enclave in ruins.
—Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
More than 42,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have died in Israeli retaliatory attacks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and the ongoing war has brought on a humanitarian crisis and left the territory in ruins.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
How Helene devastated western North Carolina and left communities in ruins
IV fluids are used for a wide range of medical purposes.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
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Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
As the war moves into its second year, the death toll from the Israeli campaign in Gaza is approaching 43,000, with the densely populated enclave in ruins.
—Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
More than 42,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have died in Israeli retaliatory attacks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and the ongoing war has brought on a humanitarian crisis and left the territory in ruins.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
How Helene devastated western North Carolina and left communities in ruins
IV fluids are used for a wide range of medical purposes.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in ruins
Dictionary Entries Near in ruins
Cite this Entry
“In ruins.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20ruins. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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