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ru·in
 ruin
- pronunciation:
- ru
ihn
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Builder
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
complete destruction or decay.
The earth's rain forests are facing ruin.It's not clear what caused the ruin of this ancient civilization.- synonyms:
- decay, destruction, devastation, ruination
- similar words:
- end, fate, havoc, rack, rape, rot, wreck
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| definition 2: |
(usu. pl.) the product or condition of such destruction or decay.
The ruins of some of the buildings still remain.The dress was torn to ruins.They found their home in ruins after the hurricane.
- synonyms:
- debris, remains, wreckage
- similar words:
- destruction, devastation, nemesis, rot, waste
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| definition 3: |
a complete downfall, as in health, or financial or social standing.
These bad investments led to the company's ruin.- synonyms:
- decay, downfall
- antonyms:
- success
- similar words:
- death, finish, wreck
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| definition 4: |
the cause of destruction or downfall.
The scandal was the ruin of his political ambitions.- synonyms:
- destruction, downfall, undoing
- similar words:
- evil
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| related words: |
catastrophe, collapse, crash, doom, vestige, waste |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
ruined, ruining, ruins |
| definition 1: |
to cause the destruction of; wreck or devastate.
The disease ruined the crops.The flood ruined their homes.The bad publicity ruined his career.- synonyms:
- demolish, destroy, devastate, wreck
- antonyms:
- rebuild, repair, restore
- similar words:
- blast, blight, break, bust, damn, dash, desolate, harry, ravage, shatter, smash, spoil, total, waste
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| definition 2: |
to cause the downfall or disgrace of.
His alcoholism ruined him.- synonyms:
- debase, destroy, undo
- antonyms:
- redeem
- similar words:
- assassinate, blast, break, corrupt, defeat, demolish, wreck
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| definition 3: |
to make unusable or unable to be enjoyed; spoil.
The ink stain ruined the dress.The rowdy guests ruined the party.- synonyms:
- spoil, wreck
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| related words: |
annihilate, botch, bungle, bust, butcher, consume, corrode, cripple, damage, decay, demolish, end, extinguish, kill, level, mine, muddle, murder, obliterate, profane, punish, quash, queer, rot, soil, sully, trample, undermine, wither |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to be wrecked; fall into ruins.
- synonyms:
- decay, degenerate, deteriorate
- similar words:
- fall, rot, wreck
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| definition 2: |
to suffer a downfall; come to ruin.
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| related words: |
corrupt, damage |
Word Builder: ruin +
- ruined:
wrecked; destroyed.
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