ruinous - definition, synonyms and pronunciation

Open English WordNet

extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin“a catastrophic depression”“catastrophic illness”“a ruinous course of action”Synonyms: catastrophicOpposite harmlessSimilar harmful
causing injury or blight; especially affecting with sudden violence or plague or ruin“the blasting effects of the intense cold on the budding fruit”“the blasting force of the wind blowing sharp needles of sleet in our faces”“a ruinous war”Synonyms: blastingOpposite constructiveSimilar destructive

Word of the day · Oct 17About this word

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

Ru′in·ous adjective

Origin: L. ruinosus: cf. F. ruineux. See Ruin.

1. Causing, or tending to cause, ruin; destructive; baneful; pernicious; as, a ruinous project.

After a night of storm so ruinous.— John Milton

2. Characterized by ruin; ruined; dilapidated; as, an edifice, bridge, or wall in a ruinous state.

3. Composed of, or consisting in, ruins.

Behold, Damascus... shall be a ruinous heap.— Isa. xvii. 1.

Synonyms: Dilapidated; decayed; demolished; pernicious; destructive; baneful; wasteful; mischievous.

— Ru′wb-a1′>′in·ous·ly (#), adverb — Ru′wb-a1′>′in·ous·ness, noun

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54