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
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of ruination
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
In essence, not properly processing our body’s needs and its requirements tempts ruination.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
Proponents of the curse theory pointed to centuries of death, injury, ruination, quarrels, and dreams dashed upon the rocks.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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
In essence, not properly processing our body’s needs and its requirements tempts ruination.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
Proponents of the curse theory pointed to centuries of death, injury, ruination, quarrels, and dreams dashed upon the rocks.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
Noun
-
And maybe the downfall is that Lex has decided what's right between those two and which should win out, whereas Superman and Lois are in a constant battle about what is right, so they each get checked by the other.—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
His season-ending injury helped the Cowboys’ downfall in 2024.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
On March 28, an individual who had been missing since Helene's destruction was found and identified as 66-year-old Russell Wilber, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Wednesday.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The path of destruction stretched about 11 miles in the city outside Tulsa, and radar indicated a possible tornado had formed, according to a statement from city government.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Artist Known as Muse is here to wreak some bloody havoc.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The outbreak is forecasted across the central Gulf Coast, Deep South and the Tennessee Valley with some tornadoes spanning long and possibly causing havoc, according to the National Weather Service.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Probably the most familiar are humpback and blue whales, which were driven to the brink of extinction not so long ago by commercial whaling, but are making a comeback after an international moratorium was enacted on whaling.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The Gardens That Save Species (Yale Environment 360) by Janet Marinelli With many plant species at risk of extinction, botanic garden collections scattered around the world offer hope of survival.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Selena was taken to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead from blood loss and cardiac arrest.—
Kelsie Gibson,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
As if the Israeli people’s losses from October 7th are not grievous enough, their fears for the hostages not haunting enough, and the miseries of the Gazans not shaming enough, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is bringing his country back to war.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Military Activities Along Gaza Border In 2014, Sisi's government oversaw the demolition of hundreds of homes and forced evictions from the Egyptian side of Rafah in order to create a buffer zone along the border with the Gaza Strip, following a deadly attack on a military checkpoint in North Sinai.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting and families of victims will be able to step inside the club ahead of its eventual demolition, a city spokesperson said Tuesday.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share