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lay in ruins

VERB

smash

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break up demolish disrupt overturn raze shatter topple trash wreck

STRONG

annihilate decimate destruct overthrow ruin tumble

WEAK

lay waste put out of action put out of commission tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build construct fix repair

WEAK

fail lose mend

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.

Vast stretches of coastal mangroves, once housing rich stocks of fish and birds, lay in ruins.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2025

When they emerged, the structure’s roof was gone and the city lay in ruins.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 2, 2024

The home they had set their heart on for years lay in ruins and so did their plans for the future.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2022

Much of the city lay in ruins, he said.

From Reuters • Mar. 6, 2022

Much of Russia lay in ruins that summer.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau