ruinous
Ruinous (adj) means causing great harm or destruction.
adj
1
Causing great harm or destruction.
2
So expensive that it could leave you financially ruined.
"We are rapidly reversing the economic calamity we inherited from the previous administration, including ruinous price increases and record-setting inflation, inflation like we've never had before."
— Donald Trump, speech at United Nations (2025)
"They were forced to completely replace the roof at ruinous expense."
3
In a badly damaged, crumbling state, like a building that has fallen into disrepair.
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Etymology
It comes from Middle English ruynous, from Old French ruinos, ruineus, from Latin ruīnōsus. By surface analysis it breaks down as ruin + -ous.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ruinous
See all rhymes for ruinous →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of ruinous?
"ruinous" (adj) means causing great harm or destruction.
What is another word for ruinous?
Other words for "ruinous" include blasting, catastrophic.
What is the opposite of ruinous?
Opposites of "ruinous" include inexpensive, affordable, reasonable, cheap.
What are the different meanings of ruinous?
"ruinous" has 3 main meanings: 1. Causing great harm or destruction; 2. So expensive that it could leave you financially ruined; 3. In a badly damaged, crumbling state, like a building that has fallen into disrepair.
