ruination

[roo-uh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or state of ruining or the state of being ruined.

2. something that ruins.

ruination

/ ˌruːɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of ruining or the state of being ruined

2. something that causes ruin

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruination¹

First recorded in 1655–65; ruinate + -ion

Example Sentences

It had once been a whaling village, and the humble buildings retained a rustic charm, though when Watson arrived the rustic quality was on a steep descent toward ruination.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Protectionism is among the surest ways to set a globally competitive domestic industry on a path to ruination.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But, Rosenfield said, “When we take joy in the distress and ruination of other people, we make monsters of ourselves,” in that the internet has turned public shaming into a gleeful, global spectator sport.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As with so many acts, their financial naivete proved to be their ruination.

Read more on Salon

Fire is to piers what water was to the Wicked Witch of the West — a ruination.

Read more on Los Angeles Times