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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.

Is one bad week enough to ruin things?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Concerns are growing that shortages of diesel and jet fuel due to supply problems caused by war between Iran and the United States could ruin summer vacations.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

If you ordered Taco Bell at a drive-thru the day a loved one died, unfortunately, that might ruin Taco Bell for you forever.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

With stroke play, he says, “one bad break like that would ruin your chances for the entire event.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

That would be reason enough to ruin the show.

From "Hopping Mad (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #4)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Vocabulary lists containing ruin

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

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!