1
as in bankrupted
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
after he was ruined by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the industrialist was forced to sell his mansion and start all over again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroyed
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
tornadoes ruined a wide swath of the county
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wrecked
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a huge fire that ruined an entire city block
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruined
Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Right-hander Jordan Romano, 32, is also trying to revive his career with the Angels after injuries ruined his past two seasons.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
In so doing, Censori and Ye ruined it—to her glee.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
It was acquired by Brown-Forman in 1936 and promptly ruined by the company, according to today’s whiskey nerd standards, a few years later when it was turned into a blended whiskey (a category that was more popular at the time, and cheaper to make).
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Bartholomew says her mother's apartment got power restored Tuesday, but all of the contents of her refrigerator were ruined.
—Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Laminate flooring has some water resistance, but the core layer can quickly get ruined if water reaches it.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The problem is, structurally, for four years, the country was ruined.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Verb
Certain songs could be ruined forever.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Right-hander Jordan Romano, 32, is also trying to revive his career with the Angels after injuries ruined his past two seasons.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
In so doing, Censori and Ye ruined it—to her glee.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
It was acquired by Brown-Forman in 1936 and promptly ruined by the company, according to today’s whiskey nerd standards, a few years later when it was turned into a blended whiskey (a category that was more popular at the time, and cheaper to make).
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Bartholomew says her mother's apartment got power restored Tuesday, but all of the contents of her refrigerator were ruined.
—Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Laminate flooring has some water resistance, but the core layer can quickly get ruined if water reaches it.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The problem is, structurally, for four years, the country was ruined.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruined
Adjective
-
Owner Jason Boso fixed that, infusing $2 million into the 10-year-old bar on better bathrooms, a covered section of the patio and a re-done kitchen.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas News,
3 Apr. 2023
Verb
-
The cases are ongoing, with plaintiffs also filing claims against the trusts of companies bankrupted by the litigation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Born in 1926 in Weimar Germany, where hyperinflation bankrupted his father’s business, the young Linz witnessed the breakdown of democracy and the onset of Hitler’s dictatorship.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The storm that destroyed the home of Shaun and Karen Powers hit three months after the phone call that put an end to Coppermark’s strategy of flooding the insurance department with complaints.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Talmud teaches that Jerusalem was destroyed not only because of hatred, but because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred fueled by moral absolutism.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That general manager wrecked the team.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The biggest part of this episode, for Bree, is the doomed night at the photo exhibit with her mom.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
-
By cutting so much of Brontë’s sprawling novel down to the quick, by focusing so squarely on just Cathy and Heathcliff, we’re trapped only in the immediacy of their doomed affection, which is never allowed to be hot enough to make the entire effort come together, let alone come undone.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Niners were ravaged by injuries this past season, losing the services of some of pro football’s best players.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For over a millennium, measles have ravaged humanity.—
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 5,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even if there were sites that did not get preserved, or were demolished, there were debates over whether that should happen.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Willowcreek Middle School will remain until its replacement is ready for use, then demolished to make way for the rest of the project.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Once a team trades draft capital to acquire or retain a star, those picks become sunk costs.—
Spencer Harrison,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Stress and resentment often builds within relationships driven by sunk cost thinking, which increases within the relationship.—
Gabrielle Kassel,
SELF,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruined. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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