ruin

²ruin

verb

Definition of RUIN

transitive verb

1

: to reduce to ruins : devastate

2

a : to damage irreparably b : bankrupt, impoverish <ruined by stock speculation>

3

: to subject to frustration, failure, or disaster <will ruin your chances of promotion>

intransitive verb

: to become ruined

— ru·in·er noun

Examples of RUIN

1. The bad weather ruined the party.
2. I ruined the sauce by adding too much garlic.
3. His low test scores ruined his chances of getting into a good school.
4. Poor customer service ruined the company's reputation.
5. He was ruined by debt.
6. The scandal ruined the mayor.

First Known Use of RUIN

1585

Related to RUIN

Synonyms: bankrupt, break, bust

Antonyms: build, construct, erect, put up, raise, rear, set up

Related Words: beggar, impoverish, pauperize; reduce, straiten; clean (out), wipe out

Near Antonyms: enrich, richen

see all synonyms and antonyms

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