ruinous

adjective

ru·​in·​ous ˈrü-ə-nəs 

1

: dilapidated, ruined

2

: causing or tending to cause ruin

ruinously adverb

ruinousness noun

Synonyms

• calamitous
• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• catastrophic
• damning
• destructive
• disastrous
• fatal
• fateful
• unfortunate

Examples of ruinous in a Sentence

The house has fallen into a ruinous state.

a ruinous miscalculation of the financial markets left them bankrupt

Recent Examples on the Web

The anger may be rooted in fears that unexpected medical costs could prove financially ruinous, as well as concerns that essential care could be denied by an insurer, putting health and well-being at risk even for those who have health insurance. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024

There's currently no government policy in place to provide assistance for the victims of elephant attacks or damage, yet such events can be ruinous for those involved. —Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024

The Houthi campaign has also been ruinous for regional states that depend heavily on such trade. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

While the scourge of blood diamonds has been well-documented (and immortalized by the 2006 Leonardo DiCaprio film), the role of blood gold is more insidious but no less ruinous. —Charlie Campbell / Dubai, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ruinous

adjective

ru·​in·​ous ˈrü-ə-nəs 

: causing or tending to cause ruin : destructive

ruinously adverb