What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
debacle
Example
The company's financial debacle led to bankruptcy. [debacle: noun]
Example
The team's performance was a complete debacle. [debacle: adjective]
ruin
Example
The hurricane left the town in ruins. [ruins: noun]
Example
His addiction to drugs ruined his life. [ruined: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruin is more commonly used than debacle in everyday language. Ruin is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while debacle is less common and refers to a more specific type of failure.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between debacle and ruin?
Both debacle and ruin can be used in formal and informal contexts, but debacle may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage.
