1
as in to bankrupt
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
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
tornadoes ruined a wide swath of the county
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to devastate
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a huge fire that ruined an entire city block
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
a vicious bombardment that left the building in ruins
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2
as in wreck
ruins plural
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the ruins of an abandoned abbey
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3
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
the family faces ruin if the chief breadwinner doesn't find another job very soon
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4
as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
the politician's eventual ruin would be a sexual indiscretion
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ruin
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
After Hamas committed the most disastrous attack in Israel’s history on his watch, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping some 250 more, his public standing looked ruined.
—Dahlia Scheindlin / Tel Aviv, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025
Hidden beneath the rainforest of southern Mexico sit the ruins of a massive ancient Maya settlement.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ruin 
Verb
Freedman told jurors that the story ruined Young’s career and reputation.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
After Hamas committed the most disastrous attack in Israel’s history on his watch, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping some 250 more, his public standing looked ruined.
—Dahlia Scheindlin / Tel Aviv, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
Israel’s military response brought ruin to Gaza and misery to Palestinians suffering under Hamas.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025
Hidden beneath the rainforest of southern Mexico sit the ruins of a massive ancient Maya settlement.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ruin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruin
Verb
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But international sanctions aimed at bankrupting Russia’s war machine have failed to deliver as intended, and Biden urged the incoming Trump team to stand with Kyiv.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2025
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Further, the tax, levied at extraction, would be borne by the entity enjoying the economic benefit of the well—rather than trying to chase down some marginal entity that never turned a profit or may have existed purely to be bankrupted and evade liability.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and schools-turned-shelters for over a year are eager to return to their homes — even though they have likely been damaged or destroyed.—
Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
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The video was released Sunday by a law firm representing a woman whose house was destroyed by the fire and is suing Southern California Edison, the primary electrical utility for Los Angeles.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the same month that multiple fires devastated Los Angeles County, the Border 2 Fire sparked and set over 6,000 acres ablaze in San Diego County, prompting more evacuation orders, according to officials.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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Overnight, a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Malibu, where homes and businesses were destroyed by the Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes to devastate Los Angeles County this month.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Israel’s ultimate war goal is the complete destruction of Hamas.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
20 Jan. 2025
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She’s credited with saving Hymenaeus from destruction during the war of Dionysus against the Indians.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In Huntersville, a person pinned in a car in one of three wrecks within minutes of each other was hospitalized with serious injuries, firefighters said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2025
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More recently, changes along the coastline—including coastal construction and shifting sea currents—made the wreck site more vulnerable.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Sometimes, this debt can lead to draining retirement savings and even personal bankruptcy.—
Next Avenue,
Forbes,
27 Jan. 2025
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His prior experience includes financial restructuring at Northwest Airlines during its bankruptcy proceedings.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The giant's downfall, which shook consumer and investor confidence, reflected system issues in the entire sector.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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Hurts threw six interceptions during that 1-6 downfall within a convoluted system Sirianni admitted grew stale.—
Brooks Kubena,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, the disaster will no doubt take center stage at the event.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
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And Donald Trump's Exchange On Tarmac By Anna Commander Deputy News Editor 59 President Donald Trump was greeted by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday as Trump prepares to tour areas of the state recently ravaged by wildfires.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ruin
Cite this Entry
“Ruin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruin. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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