What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruinate
Example
The abandoned house had been left to ruinate for years. [ruinate: verb]
Example
The lack of maintenance caused the once-beautiful garden to ruinate. [ruinate: verb]
devastate
Example
The hurricane devastated the coastal town, leaving many without homes. [devastated: past participle]
Example
The news of her father's death devastated her. [devastated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devastate is more commonly used than ruinate in everyday language, especially in the context of natural disasters or emotional impact. Ruinate is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts, such as describing the decay of a building or structure.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ruinate and devastate?
Both ruinate and devastate are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, devastate is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while ruinate is less common and may sound archaic or poetic in some contexts.
