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
Anyone who intentionally takes innocent human life, leaving families and friends in ruins for the remainder of their days, has earned society’s wrath and, yes, some retribution.
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Dec. 2024
The campaign has displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the enclave in ruins.
—Joshua McElwee, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
Maris and Luca must try and find their way back to one another, before Isara is left in ruins.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
By the end of December 2016, the city, much of it in ruins, was fully under government control.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in ruins 
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Dec. 2024
The campaign has displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the enclave in ruins.
—Joshua McElwee, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
Maris and Luca must try and find their way back to one another, before Isara is left in ruins.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
By the end of December 2016, the city, much of it in ruins, was fully under government control.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2024.
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