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ruin

/ˈɹuː.ɪn/

noun

Meaning

  • (sometimes in the plural) The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.

  • The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.

    "The monastery has fallen into ruin."

  • Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.

    "Gambling has been the ruin of many."

  • A fall or tumble.

  • A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow.

    "the ruin of a ship or an army;  the ruin of a constitution or a government;  the ruin of health or hopes"

  • Complete financial loss; bankruptcy.

verb

Meaning

  • To cause the fiscal ruin of.

    "With all these purchases, you surely mean to ruin us!"

  • To destroy or make something no longer usable.

    "He ruined his new white slacks by accidentally spilling oil on them."

  • To cause severe financial loss to; to bankrupt or drive out of business.

    "The crooked stockbroker's fraudulent scheme ruined dozens of victims; some investors lost their life savings and even their houses."

  • To upset or overturn the plans or progress of, or to have a disastrous effect on something.

    "My car breaking down just as I was on the road ruined my vacation."

  • To make something less enjoyable or likeable.

    "I used to love that song, but being assaulted when that song was playing ruined the song for me."

  • To reveal the ending of (a story); to spoil.

  • To fall into a state of decay.

  • To seduce or debauch, and thus harm the social standing of.

    "The young libertine was notorious for ruining local girls."

Synonyms

destroy,
fordo,
ruinate,
wreck