shatter 1 of 2

Definition of shatternext
1
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

shatter

2 of 2

noun

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 shatter
Verb
El-Said added that one of the teens threw a glass bottle at his face, shattering it in his eye. Rina Nakano, CBS News, 12 May 2026 But Dannen said the movie’s depiction, which shattered worldwide box-office records for a music biopic during its opening weekend, pointed to a quieter impact as well. Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Noun
Shortly before serving, the blocks of compressed spuds are portioned and fried until the edges shatter like glass but the interior remains soft. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026 Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants). Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatter
Verb
  • Onions can be used as a companion plant to carrots to keep away the destructive carrot fly, a pest that can stunt the growth of carrots and even destroy entire plantings.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
  • If an Entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or destroyed, entrant’s sole remedy shall be another entry into the Sweepstakes.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • High-rise timber construction continues to grow in popularity worldwide, with Australia's incredible Atlassian Central wooden skyscraper due to smash all records once completed.
    Adam Williams May 09, New Atlas, 9 May 2026
  • By that evening, TV news stations broadcasted images of the bus smashed into the ground, leaving little room to imagine how those trapped inside could have possibly escaped.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Some interpreted McVay’s demeanor on Thursday night as evidence of a splinter in one of the league’s most successful partnerships.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Not-so-splendid splinter During a 1976 game against the Dodgers at San Diego Stadium, Padres left-hander Randy Jones was pitching to the Dodgers’ Bill Russell to lead off the seventh inning.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
  • On Friday, a pitchers’ duel was ruined by a circus act of an inning, and the Cardinals beat the Padres 6-0.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • The house was set to be demolished after Sprague died, but instead it was purchased and partially restored by Roger and Mary Mildred DeWitt in the 1960s.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
  • Many family members are opposed to demolishing and/or selling the property.
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • These ice chunks, which are also conductors, can stretch into shards.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
  • Suddenly, the plane’s landing gear tires struck the truck, shaking it and sending shards of glass flying.
    Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The deadly fires that devastated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena also laid waste to a lush canopy of leaves and pine needles that had cooled and shaded residents here for generations.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • Such local weather events have devastated rural communities in recent years.
    Lauren Sommer, NPR, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • But second-year point guard Carla Leite, who had hurt her ankle earlier in the evening, blew by Jones in isolation to tie the score 96-96 with 27 seconds to play.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on shatter

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster