1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a ruinous miscalculation of the financial markets left them bankrupt
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2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a ruinous windstorm destroyed the crops
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Recent Examples of ruinous
The share of seniors will more than double in most countries by midcentury, pushing support ratios (the number of workers per retiree) to ruinous levels; China’s, for example, will fall from ten to one in 2000 to under two to one by 2050.
—
Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
As the medical profession came to consider cocaine and morphine as equally dangerous, coca became associated with opium, and the public was led to believe that the ruinous effects of habitual opium use would inevitably befall those who regularly chewed coca leaves.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Trump warned automakers not to raise prices in response to his ruinous tariffs.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
Granted, the dropoff from Allen to any replacement is immense, perhaps ruinous.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruinous
Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
As the medical profession came to consider cocaine and morphine as equally dangerous, coca became associated with opium, and the public was led to believe that the ruinous effects of habitual opium use would inevitably befall those who regularly chewed coca leaves.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Trump warned automakers not to raise prices in response to his ruinous tariffs.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
Granted, the dropoff from Allen to any replacement is immense, perhaps ruinous.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruinous
Adjective
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The Giants didn’t have a disastrous road trip, winning two of their three series, but taking just two out of three against rebuilding teams won’t be enough to catch the Dodgers, and getting swept by contending teams will leave them outside of the wild-card chase.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Following a disastrous accident, Cadence's life changes forever, disrupting the harmony builtbetween her, her family, and her inner circle.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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The impact on the demographic group driving growth in population, consumer spending, and higher education enrollment in this country would be nothing short of devastating.—
Noreen Sugrue,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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This was somehow more devastating for Minnesota than last year’s Game 5 debacle against Dallas.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Her father was charged A CT baby had fractures and injuries medical personnel say could have been fatal.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
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In addition to the loss of wildlife, collisions are also fatal to humans.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The reasoning was twofold: to prevent widespread panic among the American public and to avoid informing the Germans just how destructive their campaign was.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
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Signs might include pacing, whining, excessive barking, destructive acts, accidents in the house and excessive salivation, drooling or panting.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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The timing of Correa’s five-game absence for a concussion sustained in Baltimore on May 15 was unfortunate.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
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This is especially unfortunate because the plot itself is quite harrowing.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruinous. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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