Meaning & use
ruining
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“ruining” is a form of “ruin”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Spoiling something so badly that it can no longer be enjoyed or used properly.
Grammar: Takes an object: ruining the surprise. This is the -ing form of ruin.
Patterns
- ruin something
- ruin something for someone
You are ruining the surprise by telling everyone.
The rain is ruining our picnic.
He kept ruining the film by explaining the plot.
verbtransitive
Causing someone to lose money, position or hope, so that they are in serious trouble.
Grammar: The object is usually a person or business: ruining a family.
Patterns
- ruin someone
- ruin someone's reputation
Bad investments were ruining the small business.
The scandal is ruining her career.
Gambling debts kept ruining his family's finances.
verbtransitive
Damaging a thing so badly that it is destroyed or no longer works.
Grammar: Takes a physical object: ruining the carpet.
Patterns
- ruin something with something
The flood is ruining the books in the basement.
Too much heat was ruining the pan.
Paint spilled on the sofa, ruining the fabric.
Word forms
| present | ruin |
|---|---|
| third person singular | ruins |
| past tense | ruined |
| past participle | ruined |
Common combinations
- ruining the surprise
- Stop ruining the surprise before the party.
- ruining the mood
- His complaints were ruining the mood.
- ruining a reputation
- False rumors are ruining her reputation.
- ruining the view
- The new building is ruining the view.
- ruining your health
- Late nights are ruining your health.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spoiling
- Spoiling is milder and often temporary, while ruining suggests the damage cannot be repaired.
- wrecking
- Wrecking is more informal and suggests violent damage, while ruining can be quiet and gradual.
- destroying
- Destroying means complete removal, while ruining can leave the thing there but useless.
- damaging
- Damaging is general and may be minor, while ruining is severe.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: ruining or ruing?
ruining vs ruing
Ruing is from rue, meaning to regret bitterly; ruining means damaging or spoiling.
Practice
Stop ____ the ending for everyone who has not seen the film yet!
Choose one answer.
Ruining the ending means spoiling it completely. Ruing means regretting, which does not fit the situation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ruining”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.