Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

ruin

[roo-in] / ˈru ɪn /




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Or will the tricky and experienced southpaw Puello, who has lost just once in 26 professional fights, ruin the homecoming?

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

The Sisley co-founder on how outside investors can ruin focus, what she learned from Jackie Kennedy and why luck plays no part in quality.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

“I’m so sorry — I don’t want to ruin your two minutes with your beautiful family,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said the scheme showed the government would mean communities see "boarded-up buildings that have been left to rack and ruin turned into places people are proud to visit again".

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

I almost tell him they aren’t that interesting—the closest thing they have to the Gift is fried fair food—but I won’t ruin it for him.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

The minuscule yet distinctly humanoid figure of a fairy flaps its wings as it flies into the ancient ruins of a bygone kingdom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

Rubio's visit to the ruins of the Acropolis in Greece was part of his three-country tour of Nato allies that includes stops in Iceland and Portugal.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Critics say the trend encourages self-centeredness and self-delusion and ruins families.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Now Dayyeh says his heart is broken every time he sees the ruins.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

It was the only way to plant hope among the ruins.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

While it was closed to the public in 1975, the increasingly ruined structure has become a symbol of Brighton for some.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

His life ruined for a second time, Weirich didn’t dwell on “his own responsibility,” Ms. Hoyer writes, but rebuilt again.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

“He thinks he’ll get a dishonorable discharge, and just because he was burnt out, his 13-year-old career is ruined, just like that,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

The teens at French high schools, known as lycées, say that their studies are being ruined by high teacher absences, overlong school days and dilapidated facilities, as well as other grievances.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

Nor did she know if the morning was already ruined, or if there was yet hope of turning things ’round.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Bad things happen when good people stand by and say nothing, even if they are trying to avoid rocking the boat, fear upsetting people or risk ruining a relationship.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

The Test was abandoned as a draw, meaning Australia retained the urn and ruining the prospect of a decider at The Oval.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

Spencer, whom Diana called “Carlos,” worried the public would punish her for ruining their fairytale.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

“Go to the pub if you’re planning on ruining it for everyone else.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

The thing he could not speak of hungover the little green room like an invisible presence, ruining, it seemed to Ranofer, everything he did speak of.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw


Vocabulary lists containing ruin

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com