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ear-shattering

adjective ear-shat·ter·ing

Definition of ear-shattering

: distressingly or painfully loud : earsplitting
  • … there was an ear-shattering blast of trumpets, entirely off key …
  • —Norton Juster,  The Phantom Tollbooth,  1961
  • … the sound was an ear-shattering screech, like a freight train highballing with a partially locked brake.
  • —Alexander Stuart,  Fortune,  3 May 1982
  • … delivered an ear-shattering performance that inspired fans to hurl themselves violently at the stage.
  • —People Weekly, 7 Sept. 1987

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First Known Use of ear-shattering

circa 1859

in the meaning defined above

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