Dictionary entry details
• RUIN (noun)
Meaning:
An irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Synonyms:
ruination; ruin
Context example:
you have brought ruin on this entire family
Hypernyms ("ruin" is a kind of...):
desolation; devastation (the state of being decayed or destroyed)
Meaning:
A ruined building
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Context example:
they explored several Roman ruins
Hypernyms ("ruin" is a kind of...):
building; edifice (a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place)
Meaning:
The process of becoming dilapidated
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural processes
Synonyms:
dilapidation; ruin
Hypernyms ("ruin" is a kind of...):
decay (the process of gradually becoming inferior)
Meaning:
An event that results in destruction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
ruination; ruin
Hypernyms ("ruin" is a kind of...):
demolition; destruction; wipeout (an event (or the result of an event) that completely destroys something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ruin"):
desolation; devastation (an event that results in total destruction)
shipwreck (an irretrievable loss)
Meaning:
Failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
downfall; ruination; ruin
Hypernyms ("ruin" is a kind of...):
failure (an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ruin"):
finish (the downfall of someone (as of persons on one side of a conflict))
Meaning:
Destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
laying waste; ruining; wrecking; ruination; ruin
Hypernyms ("ruin" is a kind of...):
destruction; devastation (the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists)
• RUIN (verb)
Meaning:
Destroy completely; damage irreparably
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
ruin; destroy
Context examples:
You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank! / The tears ruined her make-up
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "ruin"):
despoil; plunder; rape; spoil; violate (destroy and strip of its possession)
explode (destroy by exploding)
consume (destroy completely)
shipwreck (destroy a ship)
bust up; wrack; wreck (smash or break forcefully)
kick down; kick in (open violently)
wash out (wear or destroy by the force of water)
devour (destroy completely)
get (overcome or destroy)
subvert (destroy completely)
burn; burn down; fire (destroy by fire)
desolate; devastate; lay waste to; ravage; scourge; waste (devastate or ravage)
harry; ravage (make a pillaging or destructive raid on (a place), as in wartimes)
break (find a flaw in)
break; bust (ruin completely)
vandalise; vandalize (destroy wantonly, as through acts of vandalism)
do a job on (destroy completely or make ugly or useless)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Destroy or cause to fail
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Context example:
This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election
Hypernyms (to "ruin" is one way to...):
baffle; bilk; cross; foil; frustrate; queer; scotch; spoil; thwart (hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "ruin"):
undo (cause the ruin or downfall of)
break (cause the failure or ruin of)
shipwreck (ruin utterly)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Reduce to bankruptcy
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Synonyms:
bankrupt; ruin; smash; break
Context examples:
My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me! / The slump in the financial markets smashed him
Hypernyms (to "ruin" is one way to...):
impoverish (make poor)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Meaning:
Reduce to ruins
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
The country lay ruined after the war
Hypernyms (to "ruin" is one way to...):
desolate; devastate; lay waste to; ravage; scourge; waste (devastate or ravage)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Deprive of virginity
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
deflower; ruin
Context example:
This dirty old man deflowered several young girls in the village
Hypernyms (to "ruin" is one way to...):
copulate; couple; mate; pair (make love)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Fall into ruin
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "ruin" is one way to...):
crumble; decay; delapidate (fall into decay or ruin)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
