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 used in 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

For many Colombians, the attack on Uribe Turbay shattered the belief that the country had largely left behind the era when presidential candidates routinely became targets of political violence. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Rather than shattering the illusion, the heroine invents an increasingly elaborate fictional life to protect her mother — and, ultimately, herself. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 July 2026

Noun

The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Melamine is a shatter-resistant material that is perfect for outdoor dining—and all the potential accidents that come with busy households with kids or hosts who entertain a lot. — Erin Mayer, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 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