shattered 1 of 2

shattered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of shatter
1
as in destroyed
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of tried to restore their shattered hopes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in smashed
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive shattered the sealed clay pot to find out what was inside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shattered
Adjective
Guterres called for safe access for humanitarian workers, the removal of red tape and other impediments, the rebuilding of Gaza’s shattered infrastructure and funding to meet the immense needs. Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025 What initially appeared to be just a shattered pelvis turned into a heartbreaking and unexpected death. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 And even once a peace agreement is negotiated, applying a deal to the reality of a shattered Gaza — where entire areas have been reduced to rubble by airstrikes and bulldozers, and the population traumatized in a conflict that has forced the vast majority — will be a perhaps even bigger challenge. Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025 At times, Anderson trivializes the righteous ardor that goes into active, violent resistance, but there is nothing trivial in his portrait of shattered lives and relationships and of an American society shaken to its core. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025 The shattered glass remained in its frame in the images. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 After struggling with life inside a Greenland bunker, the anxious Garrity family decides to leave that safety and navigate a shattered and radioactive wasteland of Europe to find a new home. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 In addition to the shattered bones noted in Buttgereit’s surgery notes, Schaible said the physician identified nerve damage midsurgery that required additional work to fix. Katheryn Houghton, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 Arriving one year after the first Wicked hit theaters and shattered movie-musical box-office records, For Good will serve as the film adaptation of the second act of the Broadway musical on which the live-actions are based. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Peter White, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025 Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025 That perception was shattered by the 24-hour ecosystem of divisive clips, some new, most from a half decade ago, all intended to feed anger and division. Keith Wilson, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 When ballots appear in household shipments of rice and toys, trust is shattered. Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025 Carelessness and accidents happen, however, so take some time with each season to go through items and toss anything that’s faded, shattered, or stopped working. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025 If country is fractured, pop is positively shattered, less a sound than a survival tactic. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025 Pine, Colorado — As massive granite outcroppings dotted with evergreen trees jutted skyward from the landscape of Colorado’s Southern Rockies on a warm Tuesday morning, the serenity of bird calls and a babbling creek was shattered by a radio call from a park ranger in distress. Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 There’s really never been a performance like the one Joaquin Phoenix gives as Freddie Quell, a Navy vet who emerges from the war shattered and strange but who may have always been that way. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattered
Adjective
  • Rinsing rice also helps remove any grit or tiny broken pieces that might have made their way into the package.
    Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The Comfort Cubs are created with love to heal a broken heart.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Though most of his property was destroyed in the fire, a carnival operator named Bunny Gibbons bought Gein's car and charged 25 cents for people to view it until authorities shut down the operation.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The Gaza Strip itself has been nearly leveled, with the United Nations estimating 78% of structures having been damaged or destroyed, leaving a monumental task of rebuilding for whoever will govern the enclave next.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The price of gold this week smashed through the $4,000-an-ounce barrier for the first time.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Others show high-speed drives down the highway, windshields being smashed, and tensions reaching new heights.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The story sees the vengeful spirit La Llorona returning, forcing a fractured family to confront their past and join forces with their estranged curandero grandfather to battle ancient evils, before the Weeping Woman claims their children forever.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
  • And once inseparable sisters, Leah and Rachel become rivals in love and motherhood, building a fractured but foundational family whose descendants will carry the weight of history.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a post on Reddit's Wedding Drama forum, the bride explained the stressful situation that nearly ruined her nuptials.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
  • After his umpteenth comeback, director Robert Altman almost immediately ruined his career again with this tepid, unwieldy multicharacter satire of the fashion world.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Neighbors for a Better San Diego, a group that represents mostly single-family homeowners and opposes nearby higher-density development, criticized the report for not tracking how many homes get demolished to make way for new projects.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • It was finally demolished in 2008.
    Peter Carline, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Chastain, in desperation, then took his car on the final braking zone and wrecked into the 11 with the hope of passing him back.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But then a ref blew the whistle as the buzzer sounded, giving Duke two meaningless free throws while up by four.
    Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The two shared a playful moment, dancing together before Charli slipped her sunglasses onto Role Model’s face, blew him a kiss, and made her exit.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattered. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

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