1
as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
neglect and indifference have proved to be the ruination of more than one marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
although this is a setback, it isn't complete ruination for the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruination
Proponents of the curse theory pointed to centuries of death, injury, ruination, quarrels, and dreams dashed upon the rocks.
—
Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
And then, boom, blackout and ruination reign as humans are picked off en masse by blind, sound-chasing monsters.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 June 2024
Adventure Mode puts you into your maps two weeks after the ruination of your fortress; there's a real sense of impermanence to everything, which is probably good, considering your chances of getting out alive.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 Apr. 2024
After two and a half hellish years of total war and economic ruination, the secessionists sued for peace, and the conflict ended in 1970.
—Uzodinma Iweala, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for ruination 
Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
And then, boom, blackout and ruination reign as humans are picked off en masse by blind, sound-chasing monsters.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 June 2024
Adventure Mode puts you into your maps two weeks after the ruination of your fortress; there's a real sense of impermanence to everything, which is probably good, considering your chances of getting out alive.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 Apr. 2024
After two and a half hellish years of total war and economic ruination, the secessionists sued for peace, and the conflict ended in 1970.
—Uzodinma Iweala, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
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
-
Hurts threw six interceptions during that 1-6 downfall within a convoluted system Sirianni admitted grew stale.—
Brooks Kubena,
The Athletic,
17 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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Eoghan O’Connell’s role in both Shrewsbury goals was high on most culpability lists, as was a distinct lack of creativity in midfield and a failure to pose any kind of threat down the left side when Ryan Barnett was causing havoc down the opposite flank.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
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Walker thinks people may now be more receptive to her message, given the devastating wildfires that have wrought havoc on Los Angeles itself the past week.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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What does all this have to do with life today, when big cats are headed toward extinction and meat comes on Styrofoam trays?—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
The New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2025
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For example, the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo were driven to extinction by human activities.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While initial reports had the campus destroyed, officials have indicated that the site, while damaged, is not a total loss.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
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First of all, Mark was not the only one responsible for the loss.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But that all changed a few years ago when St. Petersburg foreclosed over unpaid property liens stemming from the house demolition and maintenance.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
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The house lost 10 to 20 additional feet over the last few months, resulting in a demolition order from the town.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
16 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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