ruining
Making a mess
Ruining is the process of destroying, damaging, or spoiling something beyond recovery.
It applies to physical things (The flood is ruining the carpet), abstractions (You're ruining my reputation), and experiences (Stop ruining the movie for everyone).
The force can be gradual or sudden, intentional or accidental.
Destroy completely
- obliterateDestroy all traces of
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
- razeDestroy completely
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
shatter · dismantle · pulverize · smash · crush · flatten · decimate · eradicate
Crushing emotional pain
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- shatteringBreaking violently apart
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- traumaLasting psychological wound
betrayal · disillusionment · despair · anguish · torment · scarring · damaging · wounding
Organic breakdown process
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- spoilageFood degradation process
mold · rust · erosion · corrosion · wear · blight · wilt · atrophy
Loss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- infamyExtreme public disgrace
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
slander · smear · discredit · dishonor · humiliation · stigma · tarnish · sully
Weaken by stealth
- subvertSecretly weaken authority
- tamperInterfere harmfully
- disruptInterrupt and disorder
- obstructBlock or hinder passage
thwart · impede · vandalize · cripple · destabilize · scuttle · foil · derail
Legal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- foreclosureLender seizes mortgaged property
- defaultPreset standard option
- debtMoney owed another
loss · collapse · bust · failure · destitution · impoverishment · squander · waste
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- extortionObtaining through threats
- graftIllicit political gain
malfeasance · nepotism · cronyism · exploitation · manipulation · deceit · profiteering · scandal
demolish
Destroy completely
- obliterateDestroy all traces of
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
- razeDestroy completely
wreck · shatter · dismantle · pulverize · smash · crush · flatten · decimate · eradicate · devastate
heartbreak
Crushing emotional pain
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- shatteringBreaking violently apart
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
trauma · betrayal · disillusionment · despair · anguish · torment · scarring · damaging · wounding · breaking
rot
Organic breakdown process
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
spoilage · mold · rust · erosion · corrosion · wear · blight · wilt · atrophy · disintegration
disgrace
Loss of honor
defamation · slander · smear · discredit · dishonor · humiliation · stigma · tarnish · sully · besmirch
undermine
Weaken by stealth
obstruct · thwart · impede · vandalize · cripple · destabilize · scuttle · foil · derail · botch
bankruptcy
Legal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- foreclosureLender seizes mortgaged property
- defaultPreset standard option
debt · loss · collapse · bust · failure · destitution · impoverishment · squander · waste · deplete
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- extortionObtaining through threats
graft · malfeasance · nepotism · cronyism · exploitation · manipulation · deceit · profiteering · scandal · misconduct
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
- eliminatingeliminating, eradicating, wiping out, exterminating, abolishing
- shamingshaming, humiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading
- vandalismvandalism, defacement, tagging, defacing, graffiti tags
- wastingsquandering, frittering, splurging, overspending, misusing
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
ruiningpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
protecting · safeguarding · conserving · saving · maintaining