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
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Recent Examples of shatter
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Police are disinclined to notice as rocks are hurled and windows shatter.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
At its current rate of more than 6% above last year’s numbers, the airport is poised to shatter its all-time record of almost 5 million passengers in 2024 later this year.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Verb
Constructed from shatter-resistant plastic with adhesive rubber feet to attach to the bottom, the drawers are suitable for organizing just about anything, including cosmetics, snacks, pet food and treats, trinkets, laundry essentials, index cards, and more.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Police are disinclined to notice as rocks are hurled and windows shatter.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Gunfire shatters windows at The Grand The fatal shooting in August was the latest incident amid ongoing crime problems there, the lawsuit says.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
At its current rate of more than 6% above last year’s numbers, the airport is poised to shatter its all-time record of almost 5 million passengers in 2024 later this year.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatter
Verb
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Two months after historic floods swept through the Milwaukee area, new data shows that nearly 2,200 homes throughout Milwaukee County sustained major damage or were destroyed.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Police in Florida are searching for two men caught on camera destroying a mall store while stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise.—
Pilar Arias,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 28-year-old provided another example with his second goal of the game, beating Robin Koch and smashing Bayern’s third into the top corner, late in the second half.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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In addition to smashing the Machine, Swift also easily soared over Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed One Battle After Another, the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring drama that fell to second place in week two.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The group splinters and each one pushes on, praying for another exit.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Was a splinter by the size of your straws that caused it all.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Or pursue the rancid criminal element across the galaxy as a bounty hunter, making your fortune by ruining bad guys' lives.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Nothing ruins a trip faster than your suitcase not showing up at baggage claim, right?—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although a formal vote was not taken, there was consensus among the city council members on Monday night to demolish the old City Hall and to preserve the old fire station, Leawood spokesperson Beth Breitenstein said in an email.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Jokake Inn closed in the late 1970s and was demolished, except for its Pueblo revival-style belfry towers, which were incorporated into The Phoenician.—
Douglas C. Towne,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The assault left four members dead and numerous others physically injured, some from gunshots, others by smoke inhalation and still others gashed and bleeding from shrapnel and shards of glass.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Researchers like me carefully separate out the tiny glass shards by sifting through the dirt and using a micromanipulator, a tool that can pick up and move microscopic grains.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And that doesn’t change when the relationships in the middle of a dispute are the ones between Prince William and Prince Harry, and the one feeling devastated by the feud is Prince George.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 Oct. 2025
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But none appears set to devastate his team’s chances of contention as has that of Burrow.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Grealish, no longer prone, headed, just like Moyes, to the South Stand and appeared to blow a kiss to adoring fans.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Apparently, Grier forgot his own words, because the lines that the Dolphins have built are collectively their worst this decade, something evident in a crushing 27-24 loss to Carolina, a game in which Miami blew a 17-0 lead.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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