ruination

noun

ˌrü-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce ruination (audio)
Definition of ruinationnext
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

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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 The only thing that would satisfy the gremlin in me is the ruination of my freedom. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026 And to think that many thought MLB Free Agency in 1976 was the ruination of the sport. — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026 Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination. — Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025 Wedding fundraising pages are not invoices that require payment under threat of credit ruination. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
  1. downfall
  2. destruction
  3. devastation
  4. havoc
  5. extinction
  6. loss
  7. demolition
Noun
  • Which feels perfectly symbolic of, well, the downfall of the team Mahomes captains.
    — Sam McDowell October 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Ian Papautsky, a microfluidics researcher at the University of Illinois Chicago, says that Theranos’s public downfall and time in the spotlight create a strong case for validating scientific findings.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of downfall
Noun
  • About 90% of the city was flooded ​following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, according to the White House.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The suspect, 27-year-old Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano of Stafford, Virginia, has been charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage, and felony injury to a monument, court records show.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • The magnitude of the devastation is made personal for all of us.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The painting is named after a Paul Celan poem about the losses and devastation of the Holocaust.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • Lignel began conversations with the gallery in 2008 as a recession wrought havoc upon the New York art market and the global economy.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Lucas Calderon, owner of Holy Crab, a Coral Gables seafood business that specializes in stone crab home delivery, recalls the havoc Milton wrought on the industry.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Recently, Bezos’ Earth Fund committed $100 million to a new environmental alliance looking to save endangered species from extinction.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2026
  • A week ago, another study in the journal Nature by the IUCN found that nearly 44% of reef-building coral species face an elevated risk of extinction due to climate change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • Fifth-year cornerback Jaden Mickey made some big stops, including a pass breakup, while the defensive front produced four sacks for 37 yards and seven tackles for loss.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • After scoring just four points on six field-goal attempts in Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, Adebayo was much more aggressive in looking for his own offense on Saturday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of loss
Noun
  • By Friday afternoon, Israeli forces had started demolitions in the Farsh al-Hawa area of Hebron.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the job cuts, threats of land reduction, talks of privatization and even demolition within some parks, Indigenous groups and park partners have persevered.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of demolition

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ruination
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Cite this Entry

“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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