Definitions

1. verb

to cause to become ruinous or dilapidated; to damage or destroy something, especially a building or a place of beauty.

“The neglect of the old mansion began to ruinate its once grand appearance.”

2. verb

to cause someone to become mentally or emotionally ruined; to break someone’s spirit or will.

“The years of poverty and hardship ruinated her mental health.”

3. verb

to make something useless or ineffective; to spoil or ruin something.

“The rain began to ruinate the crops in the fields.”