noun
ruination
roo-ih-NAY-shuhn
Ruination (noun) means the state or process of being completely ruined or destroyed. Example: “The scandal spelled ruination for his political career.”
noun
1
The state or process of being completely ruined or destroyed.
"The scandal spelled ruination for his political career."
"As our tour has shown, the state of ruination of castle sites was a key factor in their fate when the railways came through."
— Dr. Joseph Brennan, Castles: ruined and redeemed by rail (2022)
How to use ruination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTotal destruction or downfall — a more dramatic, often literary way of saying "ruin."
When to use it
Fairly formal or dramatic in tone; everyday speech usually just says "ruin" or "downfall."
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Word forms
- Plural
- ruinations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The scandal spelled _____ for his political career.
Etymology
Formed from ruin plus the noun suffix -ation.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ruination
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for ruination →
Frequently asked questions
What does “ruination” mean?
The word “ruination” means the state or process of being completely ruined or destroyed. In plain terms, total destruction or downfall — a more dramatic, often literary way of saying "ruin.".
How do you pronounce “ruination”?
“Ruination” is pronounced roo-ih-NAY-shuhn (/ˌɹuː.ɪˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “ruination” in a sentence?
Here is “ruination” used in a sentence: “The scandal spelled ruination for his political career.”
What is the opposite of “ruination”?
The opposite of “ruination” — its antonyms — are foundation, construction and building.
What part of speech is “ruination”?
“Ruination” is a noun.
