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Definitions

ruin

[roo-in] / ˈru ɪn /
NOUN
situation of devastation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankruptcy collapse demolition destruction extinction insolvency wreck wreckage
STRONG
atrophy bane bath breakdown confusion crash crumbling damage decay defeat degeneracy degeneration destitution deterioration dilapidation disintegration disrepair dissolution downfall downgrade failure fall havoc loss nemesis overthrow ruination skids subversion undoing waste waterloo
WEAK
crack up the end
Antonyms
STRONGEST
building construction creation
STRONG
accomplishment achievement advantage attainment development
VERB
devastate, destroy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankrupt crush decimate demolish deplete exhaust impoverish injure mar overwhelm raze shatter spoil wipe out wrack wreck
STRONG
beggar botch break bust deface defeat defile deplore desecrate despoil devour dilapidate disfigure drain fleece maim mangle mutilate overthrow overturn pauperize pillage rape ravish reduce sack smash total
WEAK
bring down bring to ruin clean out depredate do in lay waste make a mess of spoliate use up wreak havoc on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build construct create fix heal mend repair
STRONG
adorn beautify cure protect strengthen
WEAK
develop grow

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.

A Riyadh development called Diriyah buzzes with activity around a hub of restaurants set next to a historic ruin, with a Trump-branded hotel planned nearby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

The Seattle Mariners ruin the Angels’ home opener, holding them to just one hit over 10 innings in a 3-1 victory.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Former Senegalese foreign minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio wrote in early February that "a hundred minutes of football will never be able to ruin a thousand years of close ties between Senegal and Morocco".

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

“Would this ruin her life — or transform it? I just worry that she does not have the same opportunities.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The tortoise cut in with a flat, grating voice: “Did you two need something, or did you just come to ruin my fun?”

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Vocabulary lists containing ruin

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!