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
Photos published at the time highlighted the extent of the damage, with rows of charred homes throughout the region, leaving once bustling neighborhoods in ruins.
—
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Once again, Gaza was left in ruins, and its population had to start over.
—Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
The war has left large parts of several cities in ruins and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people.
—David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
In 2006, much like today, Hezbollah fought a war with Israel that left Lebanon’s south in ruins and raised serious questions about the organization.
—Hanin Ghaddar, Foreign Affairs, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for in ruins 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Once again, Gaza was left in ruins, and its population had to start over.
—Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
The war has left large parts of several cities in ruins and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people.
—David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
In 2006, much like today, Hezbollah fought a war with Israel that left Lebanon’s south in ruins and raised serious questions about the organization.
—Hanin Ghaddar, Foreign Affairs, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for in ruins
Dictionary Entries Near in ruins
Cite this Entry
“In ruins.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20ruins. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share