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
Read: The mysterious, meteoric rise of Shein In the past several years, cultural awareness has grown about the reality of the fast-fashion business model, which relies on paying factory workers shockingly low wages and takes a multifaceted approach to furthering the ruination of the planet.
—
Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2025
The one-time ingenue made gallows humor out of her ruination, glorying in the cracks and croaks of her voice.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
The aftershocks of the Vietnam War and the ruination of family legacy also came into play in Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974).
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Athens used its financial power to abuse its allies and in doing so precipitated its own ruination.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2025
The one-time ingenue made gallows humor out of her ruination, glorying in the cracks and croaks of her voice.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
The aftershocks of the Vietnam War and the ruination of family legacy also came into play in Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974).
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Athens used its financial power to abuse its allies and in doing so precipitated its own ruination.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
Noun
-
Barry’s downfall sent shockwaves through a city that once put her approval rating over 70 percent.—
Kelly Puente,
The Tennessean,
18 July 2025
-
Hannah obviously isn't the only one at fault in their downfall as a couple, but her decision making certainly leaves something to be desired.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Hopefully the residents of Hawkins will have peace in the end — but not before more destruction.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
16 July 2025
-
Video footage of the waterspout and photos of the destruction at Paw Paw Point were reviewed and verified by the NWS.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
The bacteria causing havoc for summer swimmers include E.coli and Enterococcus — nasty germs often found in the feces of people and animals.—
Shreya Srinivasan,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
-
Cilic was never in the contest because of a foot blister that was causing havoc with pain and movement, something that was imperative against the balletic Federer.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Lamm, Colossal’s CEO, told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria last month that the biotechnology Colossal develops will be used to help rescue animals on the brink of extinction as well as those that have already disappeared.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
-
Within 150 years, the Moa was gone, hunted to extinction.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Now, with the Airbnb officially canceled, Friend A insisted she should be held fully responsible for the loss.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
26 July 2025
-
On Monday, Stellantis, which owns Chrysler and Jeep as well as European brands Peugeot and Fiat, said tariffs and factory shutdowns related to Trump's trade policies contributed to a $2.7 billion loss in the first half of the year, with deliveries to U.S. buyers plunging 25% over that period.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
In 2021, when Division 1 was being torn down, Gaspar went to the street and recorded the demolition every day, from start to finish.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
-
Newton ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more in a 49-15 demolition.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share