If you describe the cost of something as ruinous, you mean that it costs far more money than you can afford or than is reasonable.
Many Britons will still fear the potentially ruinous costs of their legal system.
Synonyms: extravagant, crippling, outrageous, inflated More Synonyms of ruinous
ruinouslyadverb [ADVERB adjective]
...a ruinously expensive court case.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A ruinous process or course of action is one that is likely to lead to ruin.
The economy of the state is experiencing the ruinous effects of the conflict.
Synonyms: destructive, devastating, shattering, fatal More Synonyms of ruinous
ruinouslyadverb [usually ADVERB -ed]
...cities ruinously choked by uncontrolled traffic.
More Synonyms of ruinous
ruinous in British English
(ˈruːɪnəs)
adjective
causing, tending to cause, or characterized by ruin or destruction
a ruinous course of action
Derived forms
ruinously (ˈruinously)
adverb
ruinousness (ˈruinousness)
noun
ruinous in American English
(ˈruənəs)
adjective
1.
falling or fallen into ruin; dilapidated; decayed
2.
bringing or tending to bring ruin; very destructive or harmful; disastrous
ruinous floods
Derived forms
ruinously (ˈruinously)
adverb
ruinousness (ˈruinousness)
noun
Word origin
ME ruinouse < L ruinosus
Examples of 'ruinous' in a sentence
ruinous
For an independent publisher like us, the costs would be ruinous.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The reason they have taken this potentially ruinous stance is because they have no alternative.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The latter would have damaged its prospects of avoiding potentially ruinous liability.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The education of young women has halted a potentially ruinous population increase.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Britain has no will for another ruinous conflict.
The Sun (2014)
But may we suggest a more cultured and less financially ruinous way of casting thoughts forward to the season of goodwill?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Or is that part of this whole potentially ruinous pressure build-up?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He became stronger mentally, knowing that he had recovered from a potentially ruinous injury.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Africa is potentially rich in agriculture and minerals, but torn by ruinous tribal conflict and corruption.
The Sun (2007)
It can warp their behaviour and may well have lasting, emotionally ruinous effects.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Was it subjecting them to a financially ruinous nine-year legal saga?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The costs can be ruinous.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
The economic effects proved ruinous.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
A trip to Moscow may also prove financially ruinous for many fans.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Is it possible that the project won't go ahead, given its ruinous cost?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
With much of the 2006 population frozen in the grip of mortgages and ruinous moving costs such as stamp duty, that is worth noting.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
A few weeks ago, those deliberations looked pretty bleak, with potentially ruinous effect on his international career.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In the 21st century, once something has been published the harm is already done and the only redress is potentially ruinous resort to the libel courts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
1 (adjective)
Definition
more expensive than can reasonably be afforded
the ruinous costs of the legal system
Synonyms
extravagant
I was extravagant in my admiration of them.
crippling
outrageous
The prices these places charge are absolutely outrageous.
inflated
They had to buy everything at inflated prices at the ranch store.
wasteful
the wasteful consumption of fuel
extortionate
the extortionate price of designer clothes
excessively high
immoderate
He launched an immoderate tirade on his son.
2 (adjective)
Definition
causing ruin or destruction
the ruinous effects of the conflict
Synonyms
destructive
the awesome destructive power of nuclear weapons
devastating
the devastating force of the floods
shattering
fatal
It dealt a fatal blow to his chances.
deadly
a deadly disease currently affecting dolphins
disastrous
the recent, disastrous earthquake
dire
We found ourselves in a dire predicament.
withering
The forces were unable to withstand the withering artillery barrages.
catastrophic
A tidal wave caused catastrophic damage.
murderous
a series of murderous attacks
pernicious (formal)
the pernicious effects of alcoholism
noxious
carbon monoxide and other noxious gases
calamitous
a calamitous air crash
baleful
He had a baleful look.
deleterious (formal)
Fear of crime is having a deleterious effect on society.
injurious
Stress in itself is not necessarily injurious.
baneful (archaic)
3 (adjective)
They passed by the ruinous building.
Synonyms
ruined
a ruined church
broken-down
a broken-down car
derelict
There was graffiti and litter in the derelict warehouse.
ramshackle
a curious ramshackle building
dilapidated
She lived in a dilapidated old cottage.
in ruins
The building was in ruins.
decrepit
The film was shot in a decrepit police station.
tumbledown
bare hills and dusty tumbledown villages
Additional synonyms
in the sense of baleful
Definition
harmful, menacing, or vindictive
He had a baleful look.
Synonyms
menacing,
threatening,
dangerous,
frightening,
evil,
deadly,
forbidding,
intimidating,
harmful,
sinister,
ominous,
malignant,
hurtful,
vindictive,
pernicious (formal),
malevolent,
noxious,
venomous,
ruinous,
intimidatory,
minatory,
maleficent,
bodeful,
louring or lowering,
minacious
in the sense of baneful
Synonyms
harmful,
fatal,
deadly,
disastrous,
destructive,
hurtful,
pernicious (formal),
noxious,
venomous,
ruinous,
calamitous,
baleful,
deleterious (formal),
injurious,
pestilential,
maleficent
in the sense of broken-down
Definition
not in working order
a broken-down car
Synonyms
not in working order,
old,
worn out,
out of order,
dilapidated,
not functioning,
out of commission,
on the blink (slang),
inoperative,
kaput (informal),
in disrepair,
on the fritz (US, slang)
Nearby words of
ruinous
rugged
ruin
ruined
ruinous
rule
rule someone out
rule something out
Synonyms of 'ruinous'
ruinous
Explore 'ruinous' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of calamitous
Definition
resulting in or from disaster
a calamitous air crash
Synonyms
disastrous,
terrible,
devastating,
tragic,
fatal,
deadly,
dreadful,
dire,
catastrophic,
woeful,
ruinous,
cataclysmic
in the sense of catastrophic
A tidal wave caused catastrophic damage.
Synonyms
disastrous,
devastating,
tragic,
calamitous,
cataclysmic
in the sense of deadly
Definition
likely to cause death
a deadly disease currently affecting dolphins
Synonyms
lethal,
fatal,
deathly,
dangerous,
devastating,
destructive,
mortal,
murderous,
poisonous,
toxic,
malignant,
virulent,
pernicious (formal),
noxious,
venomous,
baleful,
death-dealing,
baneful
in the sense of decrepit
Definition
weakened or worn out by age or long use
The film was shot in a decrepit police station.
Synonyms
ruined,
broken-down,
battered,
crumbling,
rundown,
deteriorated,
decaying,
beat-up (informal),
shabby,
worn-out,
ramshackle,
dilapidated,
antiquated,
rickety,
weather-beaten,
tumbledown
in the sense of deleterious
Definition
harmful or injurious
Fear of crime is having a deleterious effect on society.
Synonyms
harmful,
bad,
damaging,
destructive,
detrimental,
hurtful,
pernicious (formal),
ruinous,
prejudicial,
injurious
in the sense of derelict
Definition
abandoned or unused and falling into ruins
There was graffiti and litter in the derelict warehouse.
Synonyms
abandoned,
deserted,
ruined,
neglected,
discarded,
forsaken,
dilapidated
in the sense of devastating
the devastating force of the floods
Synonyms
destructive,
damaging,
catastrophic,
harmful,
detrimental,
pernicious (formal),
ruinous,
calamitous,
cataclysmic,
deleterious (formal),
injurious,
maleficent
in the sense of dilapidated
Definition
(of a building) having fallen into ruin
She lived in a dilapidated old cottage.
Synonyms
ruined,
fallen in,
broken-down,
battered,
neglected,
crumbling,
rundown,
decayed,
decaying,
falling apart,
beat-up (informal),
shaky,
shabby,
worn-out,
ramshackle,
in ruins,
rickety,
decrepit,
tumbledown,
uncared for,
gone to rack and ruin
in the sense of dire
Definition
disastrous, urgent, or terrible
We found ourselves in a dire predicament.
Synonyms
desperate,
pressing,
crying,
critical,
terrible,
crucial,
alarming,
extreme,
awful,
appalling,
urgent,
cruel,
horrible,
disastrous,
grim,
dreadful,
gloomy,
fearful (informal),
dismal,
drastic,
catastrophic,
ominous,
horrid (informal),
woeful,
ruinous,
calamitous,
cataclysmic,
portentous,
godawful (slang),
exigent,
bodeful
in the sense of disastrous
the recent, disastrous earthquake
Synonyms
terrible,
devastating,
tragic,
fatal,
unfortunate,
dreadful,
destructive,
unlucky,
harmful,
adverse,
dire,
catastrophic,
detrimental,
untoward,
ruinous,
calamitous,
cataclysmic,
ill-starred,
unpropitious,
ill-fated,
cataclysmal
Additional synonyms
in the sense of extortionate
Definition
(of prices, profits, etc.) much higher than is fair
the extortionate price of designer clothes
Synonyms
exorbitant,
excessive,
outrageous,
unreasonable,
inflated,
extravagant,
preposterous,
sky-high,
inordinate,
immoderate
in the sense of fatal
Definition
resulting in unfortunate consequences
It dealt a fatal blow to his chances.
Synonyms
disastrous,
devastating,
crippling,
lethal,
catastrophic,
ruinous,
calamitous,
baleful,
baneful
in the sense of immoderate
Definition
excessive or unreasonable
He launched an immoderate tirade on his son.
Synonyms
excessive,
extreme,
over the top (slang),
enormous,
steep (informal),
exaggerated,
extravagant,
unreasonable,
undue,
uncontrolled,
unjustified,
unwarranted,
exorbitant,
unrestrained,
profligate,
inordinate,
over the odds (informal),
egregious,
intemperate,
unconscionable,
uncalled-for,
O.T.T. (slang)
in the sense of in ruins
The building was in ruins.
Synonyms
derelict,
ruined,
broken down,
falling apart,
ramshackle,
dilapidated,
falling to pieces,
tumbledown
in the sense of inflated
They had to buy everything at inflated prices at the ranch store.
Synonyms
raised,
high,
increased,
enormous,
unfair,
excessive,
exaggerated,
extravagant,
unreasonable,
sky-high,
inordinate,
immoderate
in the sense of injurious
Definition
causing harm
Stress in itself is not necessarily injurious.
Synonyms
harmful,
bad,
damaging,
corrupting,
destructive,
adverse,
unhealthy,
detrimental,
hurtful,
toxic,
pernicious (formal),
noxious,
ruinous,
deleterious (formal),
iniquitous,
disadvantageous,
baneful (archaic),
maleficent,
unconducive
in the sense of murderous
a series of murderous attacks
Synonyms
deadly,
savage,
brutal,
destructive,
fell (archaic),
bloody,
devastating,
cruel,
lethal,
withering,
ferocious,
cut-throat,
bloodthirsty,
barbarous,
internecine,
death-dealing,
sanguinary
in the sense of noxious
Definition
poisonous or harmful
carbon monoxide and other noxious gases
Synonyms
harmful,
deadly,
poisonous,
toxic,
unhealthy,
hurtful,
pernicious (formal),
injurious,
unwholesome,
noisome,
pestilential,
insalubrious,
foul,
baneful (archaic),
detrimental
in the sense of outrageous
Definition
shocking and socially or morally unacceptable
The prices these places charge are absolutely outrageous.
Synonyms
unreasonable,
unfair,
excessive,
steep (informal),
shocking,
over the top (slang),
extravagant,
too great,
scandalous,
preposterous,
unwarranted,
exorbitant,
extortionate,
immoderate,
O.T.T. (slang)
in the sense of pernicious
Definition
causing grave harm
the pernicious effects of alcoholism
Synonyms
wicked,
bad,
damaging,
dangerous,
evil,
offensive,
fatal,
deadly,
destructive,
harmful,
toxic,
poisonous,
malicious,
malign,
malignant,
detrimental,
hurtful,
malevolent,
noxious,
venomous,
ruinous,
baleful,
deleterious (formal),
injurious,
noisome,
baneful (archaic),
pestilent,
maleficent
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ramshackle
Definition
badly made or cared for
a curious ramshackle building
Synonyms
rickety,
broken-down,
crumbling,
shaky,
unsafe,
derelict,
flimsy,
tottering,
dilapidated,
decrepit,
unsteady,
tumbledown,
jerry-built
in the sense of tumbledown
Definition
(of a building) falling to pieces
bare hills and dusty tumbledown villages
Synonyms
dilapidated,
ruined,
crumbling,
shaky,
disintegrating,
tottering,
ramshackle,
rickety,
decrepit,
falling to pieces
in the sense of wasteful
Definition
causing waste
the wasteful consumption of fuel
Synonyms
extravagant,
lavish,
prodigal,
profligate,
ruinous,
spendthrift,
uneconomical,
improvident,
unthrifty,
thriftless
in the sense of withering
The forces were unable to withstand the withering artillery barrages.