ruin
Third Person
ruins
Present Participle
ruining
Past Tense
ruined
Past Participle
ruined
1
to cause severe damage or harm to something, usually in a way that is beyond repair
transitive
- The flood had the power to ruin the foundation of the house.
- The economic downturn threatened to ruin many businesses.
- Reckless actions can easily ruin relationships.
- Ignored warnings about the storm ruined the outdoor event.
- The ongoing neglect of maintenance is ruining the structural integrity of the building.
Synonyms:
2
to fall into a state of destruction or severe decline
- The old mansion has slowly begun to ruin over the years, with parts of the roof collapsing.
- After the flood, the town was left to ruin, with many buildings left abandoned.
- The abandoned factory has begun to ruin, with rust and decay spreading everywhere.
- The neglected garden has started to ruin, with weeds overtaking the plants.
- Without proper care, the ancient book began to ruin, its pages turning brittle.
3
to take away a woman’s chastity, often leading to a loss of honor or social reputation in traditional contexts
transitive
- In the old tales, the knight vowed to protect her from those who sought to ruin her.
- His deceitful charm ruined her, leaving her reputation in shambles.
- The gossip hinted that she had been ruined by a man of ill repute.
- Her family disowned her after she was ruined, despite her protests of innocence.
Synonyms:
4
to cause someone or something to become impoverished
transitive
- The economic crisis ruined many families, leaving them struggling to survive.
- His gambling addiction gradually ruined him, wiping out his savings.
- The failed business venture ruined them financially, forcing them into debt.
- The storm destroyed crops and ruined the farmers, leaving them with nothing.
- The sudden downturn in the market ruined many investors who lost everything.
5
to cause something to become less favorable, often by damaging or destroying its quality or value
transitive
- Poor management decisions can ruin a company's reputation.
- The constant delays and miscommunications began to ruin the project.
- A single bad review had the potential to ruin the restaurant's business.
- His careless comments could ruin the delicate negotiations.
- Repeated lies can ruin a relationship built on trust.
Synonyms: