in ruins
idiom
: destroyed with some pieces or parts remaining
The building was/lay in ruins.
—sometimes used figurativelyAfter her death, the family was in ruins.
Examples of in ruins in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Four people staying at Blue Oak were killed in the flooding, part of a Texas Hill Country disaster that claimed at least 135 lives overall and left entire riverside communities in ruins.
—
Gretchen Butwid, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Additionally, North Wilkesboro Speedway — once literally in ruins — was revived in 2023 for NASCAR’s All-Star Race, and this summer will host its first official Cup Series points race since 1996.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
By then, 28 blocks of the West Side were in ruins, and more than 200 businesses on Madison Street, Roosevelt Road, and 16th Street had been destroyed.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Likewise, victory, which could also be elusive, will simply gain it some territory that is now in ruins.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in ruins
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Gretchen Butwid, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Additionally, North Wilkesboro Speedway — once literally in ruins — was revived in 2023 for NASCAR’s All-Star Race, and this summer will host its first official Cup Series points race since 1996.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
By then, 28 blocks of the West Side were in ruins, and more than 200 businesses on Madison Street, Roosevelt Road, and 16th Street had been destroyed.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Likewise, victory, which could also be elusive, will simply gain it some territory that is now in ruins.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in ruins
Cite this Entry
“In ruins.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20ruins. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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