1
as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
neglect and indifference have proved to be the ruination of more than one marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
although this is a setback, it isn't complete ruination for the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruination
The one-time ingenue made gallows humor out of her ruination, glorying in the cracks and croaks of her voice.
—
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
The aftershocks of the Vietnam War and the ruination of family legacy also came into play in Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974).
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Athens used its financial power to abuse its allies and in doing so precipitated its own ruination.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2020
There’s a scene, an almost 14-minute long take, that centers on Otilia at her boyfriend’s birthday party, saying next to nothing, as the elders around her lambaste her generation for the ruination of traditional values.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
The aftershocks of the Vietnam War and the ruination of family legacy also came into play in Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974).
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Athens used its financial power to abuse its allies and in doing so precipitated its own ruination.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2020
There’s a scene, an almost 14-minute long take, that centers on Otilia at her boyfriend’s birthday party, saying next to nothing, as the elders around her lambaste her generation for the ruination of traditional values.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
Noun
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The birth of house music in the 1980s was also, in part, a response to the heyday, and unceremonious downfall, of disco, another genre that had distinctly Black origins before garnering more mainstream attention via white artists and culture.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
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Now, Paris is speaking out about how the movie contributed to their downfall.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
Noun
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The destruction of several strategic bombers is another reminder that Kyiv remains determined in its struggle against Moscow’s invasion.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
13 June 2025
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Confrontational rhetoric Salami was known for his aggressive rhetoric against both Israel and the United States, calling for the destruction of Israel as early as 2016.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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The adventurer turns out to be a wild champion of havoc who alienates friends and demolishes any social scene.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
-
Suddenly, Nicky, who Chloe has erased from her life, is back in the picture and causing havoc as the police investigate the murder and zero in on Ethan, who had tensions with his father.—
Nina Metz Chicago Tribune,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Under the Endangered Species Act, animals that are listed in danger of extinction are given protections — like the protection of critical habitat and prohibitions on hunting — and recovery plans.—
Clark Corbin,
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2025
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The Pacific leatherback populations are most at risk of extinction.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Ryan Yarbrough had known nothing but success in the Yankees’ rotation, but that changed in a 10-7 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday night.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
8 June 2025
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Modesto 7, Storm 1: RHP Johan Moreno (1-4, 7.52 EA) allowed three runs in four innings in the loss.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
Noun
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In that fatal accident, DOB issued multiple violations for work without a permit — including demolition in progress of a walk-in freezer and a commercial kitchen — and for failing to maintain the structure.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
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The plan has faced opposition from preservationists due to the demolition of the old auditorium, but county officials emphasize the project’s cultural significance and adherence to timelines.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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