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ruin Synonyms

Another word for ruin

Choosing another word for ruin depends on context, so the 32 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 5 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To damage, spoil, or destroy something so severely that it loses its value, beauty, or usefulness.

Usage Example

"A sudden downpour threatened to destroy the outdoor concert."

Strongest
destroy
spoil
wreck
devastate
Strong
mar
damage
shatter
blight
mess up

• noun (Context 2)

The physical destruction or disintegration of something, or the state of disintegrating or being destroyed.

Usage Example

"Years of neglect had allowed the historic manor to fall into complete destruction."

Strongest
destruction
devastation
Strong
wreckage
disintegration
decay
dilapidation
demolition

• noun (Context 3)

The remaining crumbling pieces of a building, city, or structure that has decayed or been destroyed, often used in the plural.

Usage Example

"Archaeologists spent the summer excavating the ancient Roman ruins near the coast."

Strongest
remains
Strong
remnants
wreckage
debris
rubble

• noun (Context 4)

The complete loss of a person's or organization's money, status, reputation, or prospects.

Usage Example

"Unwise speculative investments eventually led the merchant bank to financial downfall."

Strongest
downfall
undoing
ruination
Strong
collapse
bankruptcy
insolvency
failure

• verb (Context 5)

To reduce a person or organization to poverty, bankruptcy, or a total loss of social standing.

Usage Example

"The prolonged lawsuit threatened to bankrupt the small family business."

Strongest
bankrupt
impoverish
Strong
pauperize
break
wipe out

Opposites of ruin

The opposite of ruin shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

prosperity
restore
success
restoration
preservation
enrich
repair
save
See all opposites of ruin

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Ruin. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/ruin
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