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
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Recent Examples of ruination
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
Charged with gun possession and bribing a witness, Mr. Combs stood trial for seven weeks in early 2001, facing the possibility of 15 years in prison — and, possibly, the ruination of his career.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruination
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
Charged with gun possession and bribing a witness, Mr. Combs stood trial for seven weeks in early 2001, facing the possibility of 15 years in prison — and, possibly, the ruination of his career.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruination
Noun
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Now, 34 years later and a registered nurse, the downfall of the hospital is heartbreaking for her.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The manic, madcap, chaotic and silly stunt show was heavy on exposition to the delight of the fans who cheered the entrance of every One Piece character and laughed at the downfall of paper-thin goon.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One chapter closes, another opens The destruction of several Russian Kamov Ka-52s using drones doesn’t signal the end of the attack helicopter by any means.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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The pace of destruction was terrifying.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Despite the devastation, the family has received an outpouring of support from the community, something Jackeline Madrid said reflects who her father was.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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In the two years following Hurricane Maria's devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, overdose reports increased, another study found.—
Andrew Jones,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If there’s trust on the back end, James can move up closer to the line of scrimmage to make plays and wreak havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bald eagles have made a strong recovery in Michigan, growing from the edge of extinction with just 52 breeding pairs in the 1960s to about 900 pairs by 2023, Bridge Michigan reported.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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By the early 1940s, it was gone, widely recognized as the first butterfly in North America driven to extinction by human activity.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In corresponding moves, left-hander Charlie Barnes and right-hander Yacksel Ríos were called up from Triple-A Iowa and right-hander Vince Velasquez, who threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s loss, was designated for assignment to open a 40-man spot for Ríos.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Saturday’s defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur was markedly less depressing than the losses in the previous two games.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since the demolition began, Democrats have mostly used the ballroom project as a political piñata.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Phase three of demolition includes the Kohl’s parcel.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruination. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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