Ruin
Ruin verb - To bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of.
Usage example: a huge fire that ruined an entire city block
Spoil is a synonym for ruin in help topic. In some cases you can use "Spoil" instead the word "Ruin" as a verb or a noun, when it comes to topics like action, wreck, botch, destroy. popular alternative
Spoil
Spoil verb - To reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of.
Usage example: know when to stop, for an unnecessary brushstroke can spoil a painted portrait
Ruin is a synonym for spoil in help topic. You can use "Ruin" instead the word "Spoil" as a verb or a noun, if it concerns topics such as botch, destroy, damage, belittle. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- You probably won't spoil much of the Excuse Plot by reading behind the spoiler tags, but you will probably ruin the challenge for yourself.
Source: Video Game / NetHack -
The third Opening, which can only be accessed after already beating the game, is a Gag Opening that can spoil you on the Ruin Branch of the game.
Source: Video Game / Vanguard Bandits -
Darling, the stern authority figure that tries to spoil the children's fun, and Captain Hook, the main antagonist also out to ruin the children's fun (by killing them), are usually played by the same actor in productions and film adaptations.
Source: Significant Double Casting
Cite this Source
Spoil and Ruin. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/ruin/spoil
Ruin & Spoil. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/ruin/spoil>.
Spoil or Ruin. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/ruin/spoil.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "ruin" and "spoil" have occurred on timeline