Ruination

Ruination refers to the state of being completely destroyed or damaged, often referring to a decline in prosperity, health, or reputation. It can be a gradual process or a sudden event, ultimately leading to a loss of value, function, or integrity. The term implies a profound and often irreversible descent into a state of decay, loss, or failure. It speaks to the devastating consequences of destructive forces, whether natural, human-caused, or systemic, which can encompass physical, emotional, or societal elements. It evokes a sense of finality and the loss of something once held precious, powerful, or promising. It's a word that carries a heavy weight of loss and destruction.

Ruination meaning with examples

• The economic crash led to the ruination of many families' financial futures, as savings were wiped out and homes were foreclosed. The ripple effects of job losses and the collapse of businesses further compounded the damage. It was a harsh example of how quickly prosperity could be reversed. The ensuing loss of the social security that came with such a state of loss further exacerbated the destruction that such an environment inflicted.
• The years of neglect and poor management resulted in the gradual ruination of the historic mansion. The once-grand estate suffered from crumbling walls, leaky roofs, and overgrown gardens, a slow decay leading to the loss of its former glory. It became a ghost of what it once was. Time and lack of proper maintenance had claimed a victory of slow devastation, a story all too common.
• His gambling addiction brought about the ruination of his family, as he lost their savings and assets. The addiction fractured relationships, eroded trust, and left them struggling with debt and despair. The addiction devoured his every waking thought, as he placed the family in an impossible situation and left it to fall in the abyss.
• The toxic political climate, rife with corruption, threatened the ruination of the nation's democracy. Erosion of public trust, a weakening of institutions, and the rise of division and discord weakened the social contract. It was the slow decline of the collective social entity that was the nation's identity and the social agreement that gave it such an identity.