ruining

ru·in

R0341800 (ro͞o′ĭn) n. 1. often ruins a. The state of being physically destroyed, collapsed, or decayed: The castle fell into ruin. b. The state of being extensively harmed or damaged: Our vacation plans are in ruins. c. Poverty of bankruptcy: Their decision brought the bank to ruin. 2. a. often ruins A destroyed, collapsed, or decayed building or other physical entity: the ruins of the old mill. b. One that has been extensively damaged or harmed: He is a ruin of his former self. 3. A cause of destruction or irreparable harm or loss: Gambling will be his ruin. tr.v. ru·ined, ru·in·ing, ru·ins 1. To cause (a building, for example) to be in a destroyed, collapsed, or decayed state. 2. a. To harm or damage the quality or value of (something) irreparably: A bad diet ruined his health. b. To harm or damage the enjoyment or experience of (something) greatly: ruined the movie by talking throughout it; ruined the book by giving away the ending. 3. To reduce to poverty or bankruptcy: Bad loans ruined the banker.

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[Middle English ruine, from Old French, from Latin ruīna, from ruere, to rush, collapse.]

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ru′in·a·ble adj. ru′in·er n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ruining - destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruinedlaying waste, wrecking, ruination, ruindestruction, devastation - the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists