1
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
tried to restore their shattered hopes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to smash
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
as in to demolish
to cause to break with violence and much noise
shattered the priceless vase in one clumsy fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in splinter
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of shatter
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Luke Littler, the 19-year-old darts player from England, has shaken the foundation of his sport, shattering records and exploding to global fame.
—Time, 9 June 2026
Joe Davidson
march 7, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
The lid is made of shatter-resistant construction with a magnet that makes for easy opening and closing.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Verb
The sky has shattered, shards fill the alleys.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Luke Littler, the 19-year-old darts player from England, has shaken the foundation of his sport, shattering records and exploding to global fame.
—Time, 9 June 2026
Noun
Though the Big Sky Conference Tournament is officially listed as a neutral-site game, Sac State finished 0-17 away from Hornet Pavilion, Sac State’s new on-campus venue that helped the school shatter attendance records.
—Joe Davidson
march 7, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
The lid is made of shatter-resistant construction with a magnet that makes for easy opening and closing.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatter
Verb
-
Madeira is intentionally exposed to heat and oxygen during aging, something that would destroy most wines.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Terminix utilizes the advanced Sentricon baiting system alongside traditional liquid barriers to destroy subterranean colonies entirely.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Another cuts to Nina smashing dishes across the kitchen floor before being comforted by Enzo.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Disney’s record-smashing Thanksgiving tentpole Zootopia 2 is looking at a second-place finish with $45 million from 4,000 sites, bringing its domestic total to north of $222 million through Sunday.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
On director Rupert Wyatt’s Desert Warrior (2025), Mettler was the lead film editor, splinter unit director and associate producer.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
-
But as the season neared the winter transfer window, the expectation was for Mainoo to leave on loan rather than continue to pick up splinters on the bench.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Historically, barrels of Madeira spent months crossing tropical oceans aboard ships, and merchants realized that the heat actually improved the wine rather than ruining it.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Tony Chunkapura's home had to be gutted and demolished after the flooding in 2021.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
-
And so the idea to demolish visible panty lines was born.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The motion created from a single image is excellent—that one small shard that overlaps with the hand is the best part.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The footage showed that without responding, an officer smashed Hoskins’ passenger-side window, pelting him with shards of glass.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
While several of these positions are vacant to avoid layoffs, representatives said the reductions would nevertheless devastate public safety efforts.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
-
The screwworm, which has the capacity to devastate cattle and sheep herds, has now appeared in Texas, where its costs could be enormous.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Both teams are on the field and ready to play as the whistle blows to begin the first half of what should be some exciting soccer here today.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
-
Referee Nicolae Rainea blows his whistle.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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