I. noun
1.
Synonyms: deterioration 1, atrophy, decadence, declension, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, devolution, downfall, downgrade
2.
Synonyms: downfall 2, bane, destroyer, destruction, ruination, undoing
3.
the bringing about of or the results of disaster
met ruin at the hands of the enemy
Synonyms: confusion, destruction, devastation, havoc, loss, ruination
Related Word: crumbling, disintegration; break up, dissolution; disrepair; wreck
Contrasted words: rebuilding, reconstruction, re-creation
4.
Synonyms: injury 1, damage, harm, hurt, mischief, outrage
II. verb
1.
Synonyms: destroy 1, decimate, demolish, raze, unbuild, undo, unframe, unmake, wrack, wreck
Related Word: deface, disfigure; maim, mangle, mutilate; depredate, desecrate, desolate, despoil, devastate, devour, pillage, sack, spoliate, waste
Antonyms: restore
2.
to subject to forces that are destructive of soundness, worth, or usefulness
in danger of being ruined by prosperity
Synonyms: bankrupt, dilapidate, do in, shipwreck, wreck
Related Word: corrupt, debase, degenerate, vitiate
Idioms: play hob ( or the devil) with
Contrasted words: rebuild, renew, restore; reclaim, redeem, retrieve, salvage
3.
to overthrow the fortunes of
was ruined during the Great Depression
Synonyms: bankrupt, break, bust, fold up, impoverish, pauper, pauperize
Related Word: beggar, clean out, deplete, drain, draw, draw down, exhaust, use up; wipe (out); reduce
Idioms: go under, lose one's shirt ( or pants), take to the cleaners
4.
Synonyms: frustrate 1, baffle, balk, beat, bilk, circumvent, dash, disappoint, foil, thwart