What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
demolished
Example
The old factory was demolished to make way for a new shopping center. [demolished: verb]
Example
The demolition of the old stadium took several months to complete. [demolition: noun]
ruined
Example
The castle was ruined after years of neglect and lack of maintenance. [ruined: adjective]
Example
The hurricane ruined many homes and buildings along the coast. [ruined: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruined is more commonly used than demolished in everyday language. Ruined is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while demolished is less common and refers specifically to the complete destruction of a building or structure.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between demolished and ruined?
Both demolished and ruined are associated with a formal tone, as they are typically used in official or technical contexts such as construction, real estate, or insurance. However, ruined may also be used in informal contexts to describe a person's emotional or financial state.
