ruin

Plural: ruins

Noun

• an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
  • "you have brought ruin on this entire family"
• a ruined building
  • "they explored several Roman ruins"
• the process of becoming dilapidated
• an event that results in destruction
• failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
• destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined
• The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
• The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.
• Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.
• The act of ruining something.
• A fall or tumble.
• A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow.
• Complete financial loss; bankruptcy.

Verb

Verb Forms: ruined, ruining, ruins

• To severely damage or destroy; to cause to fail.
• destroy completely; damage irreparably
  • "You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!"
  • "The tears ruined her make-up"
• destroy or cause to fail
  • "This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election"
• reduce to bankruptcy
• reduce to ruins
  • "The country lay ruined after the war"
• deprive of virginity
• fall into ruin
• To cause the fiscal ruin of; to bankrupt or drive out of business.
• To destroy or render something no longer usable or operable.
• To upset or overturn the plans or progress of, or to have a disastrous effect on something.
• To make something less enjoyable or likeable.
• To reveal the ending of (a story); to spoil.
• To fall into a state of decay.
• To seduce or debauch, and thus harm the social standing of.

Examples

• A poorly placed vowel can RUIN a perfectly good high-scoring word opportunity.
• Gambling has been the ruin of many.
• He ruined his new white slacks by accidentally spilling oil on them.
• I used to love that song, but being assaulted when that song was playing ruined the song for me.
• My car breaking down just as I was on the road ruined my vacation.
• The monastery has fallen into ruin.
• the ruin of a constitution or a government
• the ruin of a ship or an army
• the ruin of health or hopes
• The young libertine was notorious for ruining local girls.
• With all these purchases, you surely mean to ruin us!

Synonyms

bankrupt, break, deflower, destroy, dilapidation, downfall, laying waste, ruination, ruining, smash, wrecking, fordo, ruinate, wreck

Antonyms

build, construct, found, produce, unruin

Related Words

ruinable, ruination, ruiner, ruinous, ruint, RUINABLE