1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a ruinous miscalculation of the financial markets left them bankrupt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a ruinous windstorm destroyed the crops
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruinous
The controversial relationship likely proved ruinous for Gates’ relationship with his now ex wife.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
11 June 2026
For a multimillion-dollar data center, that disposal model is potentially ruinous.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
11 June 2026
Cassie took to OnlyFans, mostly for her own validation but partly to bail her now-husband Nate (Jacob Elordi) out of ruinous debt — reuniting her with her estranged best friend Maddy (Alexa Demie), now a talent manager.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Instead, gum arabic, like so much of the country’s gargantuan wealth, now provides both the reason and resources for its staggeringly ruinous civil war.
—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruinous
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
11 June 2026
For a multimillion-dollar data center, that disposal model is potentially ruinous.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
11 June 2026
Cassie took to OnlyFans, mostly for her own validation but partly to bail her now-husband Nate (Jacob Elordi) out of ruinous debt — reuniting her with her estranged best friend Maddy (Alexa Demie), now a talent manager.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Instead, gum arabic, like so much of the country’s gargantuan wealth, now provides both the reason and resources for its staggeringly ruinous civil war.
—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruinous
Adjective
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The last time Rushing caught Ohtani, the pitcher took over pitch-calling after a disastrous second inning against the Twins last week.
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Since his disastrous tenure with the New York Yankees from 2016 to 2022, which included a suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, Chapman has worked to turn around his career.
Adjective
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In other words, a more restrictive immigration stance is not just a policy change, but presents a health care issue that could be devastating to millions of American families, said Pillai, who co-authored the KFF report.
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Critics counter that the abrupt withdrawal of aid is already having devastating humanitarian consequences.
Adjective
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The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck.
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The highest number of fatal attacks, the study found, occurred after high-risk behaviors, including deliberately entering waterways known to contain alligators.
Adjective
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Sinlaku’s slow movement (in contrast to Bavi) worsened impacts by keeping destructive winds and torrential rain over the islands for hours, rather than moving through quickly.
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The fire burned simultaneously with the similarly destructive Eaton Fire in Altadena and other communities in the foothills of the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.
Adjective
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As attendees were escorted out of the Great American State Fair on Sunday because of inclement weather, guests noticed an unfortunate typo displayed on a digital billboard at the National Mall.
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They should be trained not to ask a bunch of questions about the medical condition, express doubt, comment that the timing is unfortunate or share private information with co-workers.
Adjective
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On the narrow question of AI’s most catastrophic risks, the major powers are beginning to agree.
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Preexisting callus consistent with a repetitive stress injury leading to a catastrophic musculoskeletal failure.
Cite this Entry
“Ruinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruinous. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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