What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruinate
Example
The abandoned factory has started to ruinate over time. [ruinate: verb]
Example
The once-beautiful garden is now in a state of ruination. [ruination: noun]
destroy
Example
The hurricane destroyed the entire town. [destroyed: past tense]
Example
The old building was destroyed to make way for a new one. [destroyed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Destroy is a more common word than ruinate in everyday language. Destroy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ruinate is less common and has a more specific meaning.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ruinate and destroy?
Both ruinate and destroy can be used in formal and informal contexts, but destroy is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in various formality levels.