What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruined
Example
The hurricane ruined the entire town. [ruined: verb]
Example
His career was ruined after the scandal. [ruined: adjective]
Example
The abandoned castle was completely ruined. [ruined: adjective]
wrecked
Example
The car was wrecked in the crash. [wrecked: adjective]
Example
She was wrecked after working long hours. [wrecked: adjective]
Example
The abandoned ship was completely wrecked. [wrecked: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruined is more commonly used than wrecked in everyday language, especially when describing buildings or places. However, wrecked is still a common word and is often used to describe vehicles or objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ruined and wrecked?
Both ruined and wrecked are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation. However, ruined may be slightly more formal due to its association with describing buildings or places.