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Ruinously: meaning, definitions and examples

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ruinously

 

[ ˈruː.ɪ.nəs.li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

adverse effects

Ruinously is an adverb that describes an action leading to grave harm, destruction, or severe loss. It often indicates an outcome that is drastically negative, emphasizing the extent of damage or detriment caused by a particular event or decision. The term can be applied in various contexts, such as financial ruin, catastrophic consequences in projects, or existential threats to environments. Its use underscores the seriousness and irrevocability of the situation at hand.

Synonyms

catastrophically, devastatingly, disastrously

Examples of usage

  • The business was ruinously affected by the economic downturn.
  • His actions led to ruinously poor decisions that impacted the team.
  • Investing in that venture proved to be a ruinously expensive mistake.

Translations

Translations of the word "ruinously" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ruinosamente

🇮🇳 नाशकारी रूप से

🇩🇪 ruinös

🇮🇩 merusak

🇺🇦 зруйновано

🇵🇱 rujnująco

🇯🇵 破壊的に

🇫🇷 ruineux

🇪🇸 ruinosamente

🇹🇷 yıkıcı bir şekilde

🇰🇷 파괴적으로

🇸🇦 بشكل مدمر

🇨🇿 zhoubně

🇸🇰 znižujúco

🇨🇳 毁灭性地

🇸🇮 ruinasto

🇮🇸 eyðileggjandi

🇰🇿 жойқын түрде

🇬🇪 ნგრევითი

🇦🇿 məhvedicidir

🇲🇽 ruinosamente

Word origin

The word 'ruinously' comes from the root 'ruin,' which has its origins in the Latin word 'ruina', meaning 'a collapse' or 'downfall.' This Latin term is derived from the verb 'ruere', which translates to 'to fall' or 'to rush.' The transition into Middle English saw various forms of the word being used, primarily in relation to physical and moral destruction. By the early 17th century, 'ruin' began to be commonly used in English literature not only to describe physical collapse but also metaphysical and moral downfall. The adverbial form 'ruinously' emerged to describe actions or events that cause such ruin, capturing both the sense of urgency and severity. Over the centuries, 'ruinously' has maintained its strong connotation of irreversible loss, and it is still actively utilized in literature, journalism, and colloquial speech to paint a vivid picture of outcomes that are devastating.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,991, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.