in ruins
idiom
: destroyed with some pieces or parts remaining
The building was/lay in ruins.
—sometimes used figurativelyAfter her death, the family was in ruins.
Examples of in ruins in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shelter Homes for Sale June 20, 2025 After nearly 80 years, the historic Island of Shuna—rich in ruins, relics, and Titanic-era lore—lists for $7 million.
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Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 June 2025
The drive to Khan Younis in Israeli military vehicles showed widespread devastation, with countless buildings lying in ruins, and piles of rubble collected at the roadside.
—Reuters, NBC news, 9 June 2025
Vast stretches of coastal mangroves, once housing rich stocks of fish and birds, lay in ruins.
—Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025
The main commercial district, State Street, was in ruins.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in ruins
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Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 June 2025
The drive to Khan Younis in Israeli military vehicles showed widespread devastation, with countless buildings lying in ruins, and piles of rubble collected at the roadside.
—Reuters, NBC news, 9 June 2025
Vast stretches of coastal mangroves, once housing rich stocks of fish and birds, lay in ruins.
—Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025
The main commercial district, State Street, was in ruins.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in ruins
Cite this Entry
“In ruins.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20ruins. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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