Ruin Meaning
Ruin Definition & Usage
The state of being destroyed, damaged beyond repair, or deteriorating over time.
Examples
- "The ancient temple was left in ruins after the earthquake."
- "The city lies in ruins after the war."
- "Years of neglect have brought the building to the brink of ruin."
- "The once thriving company has fallen into ruin after the scandal."
- "Their relationship ended in ruin after years of mistrust."
A situation in which someone or something suffers total loss, especially financial loss, or experiences irreversible damage.
Examples
- "The company's financial ruin was caused by a series of bad investments."
- "His gambling addiction led him to ruin."
- "They sought to avoid the ruin of their family's reputation."
- "The economic policies caused the nation’s ruin during the Great Depression."
- "She feared that the betrayal would lead to her personal ruin."
To destroy, spoil, or severely damage something, typically beyond repair.
Examples
- "The storm ruined our plans for the weekend."
- "His harsh words ruined their friendship."
- "The fire ruined everything in the building."
- "Years of poor decisions ruined the company."
- "She ruined her chances of getting the promotion by making a mistake during the interview."
Cultural Context
Ruin, both as a concept and a physical reality, has long been part of human history. The idea of 'ruin' is often associated with the fall of civilizations, the decay of old buildings, and the downfall of empires. In many cultures, ruins symbolize the impermanence of all things, a reminder that what is built today may one day be destroyed. The ruins of ancient cities like Rome or Athens continue to attract attention as they represent both history and the consequences of time.
The Fall of the Empire
Story
The Fall of the Empire
Once a great empire, Aurelia had stood tall, its capital a beacon of prosperity and culture. But as the years passed, greed and corruption crept into the heart of its leadership. The once-thriving city, filled with majestic marble structures and buzzing markets, began to crumble. Whispers of financial ruin spread through the streets, but few dared to acknowledge it until it was too late. As the empire’s wealth dwindled and debts piled up, the people’s faith in their leaders began to falter. The leaders, desperate to hold onto their power, made foolish decisions that hastened the empire’s destruction. The city, once the jewel of the land, now stood in ruins. Towers that had once touched the sky were now reduced to rubble, and the once-beautiful fountains had turned dry and cracked. Among the survivors of the empire was Elias, a former merchant whose fortune had once rivaled the richest in the city. He watched helplessly as his own business, built with years of hard work, was ruined by the collapsing economy. 'How did it all go wrong?' he wondered as he surveyed the wreckage of his life. But even in the midst of destruction, Elias found a flicker of hope. He began rebuilding his business from the ground up, starting with the small skills he had learned as a young boy. Though the empire had fallen, he was determined that his story would not end in ruin. He would rise from the ashes, just as the city once had. As the years passed, Aurelia’s ruins became a symbol of both the fragility and resilience of human ambition. Those who remembered its glory often spoke of the empire’s fall, but few forgot the lessons it taught: power is fleeting, and no one is immune from ruin.
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