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Showing results for ruinous.
Definitions

ruinous

[roo-uh-nuhs] / ˈru ə nəs /
ADJECTIVE
disastrous, devastating
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calamitous cataclysmic catastrophic crippling damaging deadly dire fatal harmful hurtful murderous pernicious
WEAK
annihilative baleful baneful deleterious depleting draining exhausting extravagant fateful immoderate impoverishing injurious noxious shattering suicidal unfortunate wasteful withering wrackful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
favorable fortunate harmless healthful helpful kind nice trivial unimportant wholesome
WEAK
advantageous assisting beneficial

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.

That’s how fast it is supposed to be able to grow without stoking ruinous inflation.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

Blair Kinghorn was a surprise exclusion from the 23 but the Toulouse full-back is the embodiment of the gambler's instinct that's magnificent when it works and utterly ruinous when it doesn't.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Ye ran through the ruinous effects of his injury and subsequent diagnosis, saying it caused him to avoid seeking the help he needed.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2026

Starting over elsewhere becomes a financially ruinous proposition.

From Slate • Nov. 4, 2025

“Caesarians or not, children are ruinous; you're out of your mind,” said Mrs. Phelps.

From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.