Definitions
- Describing a building or structure that has fallen into disrepair or decay. - Referring to a person's reputation or life that has been severely damaged or destroyed. - Talking about a plan, project, or event that has failed or been unsuccessful.
- Describing a building or object that has been completely demolished or obliterated. - Referring to a person's life or property that has been completely devastated or wiped out. - Talking about a natural disaster or war that has caused widespread damage and destruction.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that has been damaged or negatively impacted.
- 2Both can be used to describe physical objects or intangible concepts.
- 3Both words imply a significant degree of harm or loss.
- 4Both words can be used in a figurative sense to describe emotional or psychological damage.
What is the difference?
- 1Extent: Destroyed implies complete and total annihilation, while ruined suggests partial or significant damage.
- 2Severity: Destroyed is more severe than ruined and implies a greater degree of harm or loss.
- 3Cause: Destroyed often implies an external force or agent causing the damage, while ruined can be caused by neglect, poor planning, or other factors.
- 4Reversibility: Ruined may suggest that the damage can be repaired or reversed, while destroyed implies that the damage is irreversible.
- 5Usage: Destroyed is more commonly used to describe physical objects, while ruined can also be used to describe abstract concepts like reputation or plans.
Remember this!
Ruined and destroyed are synonyms that both describe something that has been damaged or negatively impacted. However, destroyed implies complete and total annihilation, while ruined suggests partial or significant damage. Destroyed is more severe than ruined and implies a greater degree of harm or loss. Ruined may suggest that the damage can be repaired or reversed, while destroyed implies that the damage is irreversible. Destroyed is more commonly used to describe physical objects, while ruined can also be used to describe abstract concepts like reputation or plans.
