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Showing results for ruin. Search instead for ruina.
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.

Shortly after Lively's lawsuit was filed, Baldoni brought defamation cases against Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, claiming they were aiming to ruin his career and reputation with the allegations.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Harmoush warned of economic ruin were the crisis to persist: shop owners unable to pay rent and taxes, cab drivers left without passengers and labourers struggling to find work.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Is one bad week enough to ruin things?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

If you’ve ever wanted to ruin a nice afternoon watching a terrible football game and realized you didn’t subscribe to its exclusive carrier, this probe may thrill you.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

"So maybe Nadine stole the slippers to ruin the 'Cinderella' ballet for Andrea and everybody else," Nancy mused.

From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene

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!