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
Scandals that might otherwise have been ruinous—the Access Hollywood tape, for example—were spun as baseless attacks from enemies.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
This is just the beginning of what may become the most ruinous four years in U.S. climate action and conservation history.
—Ryan Gellert, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
And his high fly ball rate, which tended to be ruinous at Fenway Park, will likely play better at Petco Park.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
The row over reparations threatened to overshadow a summit that Pacific leaders — and the Commonwealth secretariat — hoped would focus squarely on the ruinous effects of climate change.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruinous
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
This is just the beginning of what may become the most ruinous four years in U.S. climate action and conservation history.
—Ryan Gellert, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
And his high fly ball rate, which tended to be ruinous at Fenway Park, will likely play better at Petco Park.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
The row over reparations threatened to overshadow a summit that Pacific leaders — and the Commonwealth secretariat — hoped would focus squarely on the ruinous effects of climate change.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruinous
Adjective
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Thuney, who was traded to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in 2026, held up fairly well — even earning team MVP honors — until the disastrous Super Bowl LIX when Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times and hit five more.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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According to a study by Beacon Economics, this has been particularly disastrous for workers, ages 16 to 19.—
Matt Fleming,
Orange County Register,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His defensive partner Cam Fowler called the injury devastating.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
The Athletic,
7 Mar. 2025
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One player tries to make a big move, only to watch that move ricochet in devastating fashion.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The sheriff's office said Tuesday that the company that provides natural gas service for the home made no significant findings after looking for gas leaks and carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal by depriving people from getting enough oxygen.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2025
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However, this condition raises your risk of esophageal cancer, which can be fatal.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This toxic combination of hubris and adept manipulation led to the downfall of Theranos and highlights the destructive power of a Dark Empath.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Tens of thousands of residents were forced to flee and thousands of structures were affected in the most destructive firestorm in city history.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With a 6-5 record in 11 games post-All Star Weekend (including 2-3 in their last five), Tom Thibodeau's Knicks have been in a bit of a rut that began before Brunson's unfortunate injury.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Thankfully on one unfortunate visit Puligny had a town cooperative with plenty of wine to drink and a phone number for a man with a van to return us and our bicycles to our hotel in Beaune.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruinous. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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