shatter

1 of 2

verb

shat·​ter ˈsha-tər 

shattered; shattering; shatters

transitive verb

1

: to cause to drop or be dispersed

2

a

: to break at once into pieces

b

: to damage badly : ruin

3

: to cause the disruption or annihilation of : demolish

intransitive verb

1

: to break apart : disintegrate

2

: to drop off parts (such as leaves, petals, or fruit)

shatteringly

ˈsha-tə-riŋ-lē 

adverb

shatter

2 of 2

noun

1

: fragment, shred

—usually plural

the broken vase lay in shatters

2

: an act of shattering : the state of being shattered

3

: a result of shattering : shower

Synonyms of shatter

Verb

• destroy
• ruin
• demolish
• devastate
• smash
• wreck

Examples of shatter in a Sentence

Verb

The rock shattered the window.

His dreams were shattered by their rejection.

The end of his marriage shattered him emotionally.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

When Lee is so clearly shattered, sitting at home in silence and in darkness? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Iraq was invaded, the lives of ordinary Iraqis were shattered, and no weapons were ever found. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

If an outer or inner layer shatters — due to structural loads, bird strike or thermal stress — the additional layers maintain cabin pressure and structural integrity. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

These chemicals are used to create a type of transparent and shatter-resistant plastic called polycarbonate, found in products including hard plastic water bottles, food storage containers and eyeglass lenses. — Sean McCann, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English schateren — more at scatter

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shatter

• shatter cone

Rhymes for shatter

• atter
• batter
• blatter
• catarrh
• chatter
• clatter
• fatter
• flatter
• hatter
• latter
• matter
• natter

Kids Definition

shatter

verb

shat·​ter

ˈshat-ər

1

: to break or fall to pieces

the window shattered

2

: to damage badly : ruin, wreck

the bad news will shatter their morale