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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shatter
Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
But his dreams of changing the world are shattered when a routine check-up reveals a devastating diagnosis: a rare and aggressive cancer.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024
First week of early voting in battleground Georgia 'shatters' records.
—Fox News, 22 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Verb
Analysts say Tuesday’s massacre shattered the illusion of calm that Modi has projected of the region and raises questions of how such a security lapse could have occurred in one of the most militarized zones in the world.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
But his dreams of changing the world are shattered when a routine check-up reveals a devastating diagnosis: a rare and aggressive cancer.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
And then Mikey just punts that vase for that last shatter.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024
First week of early voting in battleground Georgia 'shatters' records.
—Fox News, 22 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatter
Verb
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More than half a dozen tornadoes have been confirmed, including one in Marshall County, Oklahoma, that left two homes completely destroyed and damaged about 20 others.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Fans of the franchise will remember that the Battle of Exegol was the climactic showdown between the Resistance and the First Order, which ended with the Sith being destroyed once and for all.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the past half decade, whole strata of this intricate New York support system have been smashed.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2025
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The Red Sox first baseman smashed his second three-run homer in two nights in an 8-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For millennia, great powers have used diplomacy in this way to forestall conflict, recruit new partners, and splinter enemy coalitions.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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The design is classic and functional, and it’s made from a weather-resistant and UV-resistant material that won’t rot, splinter, chip, or peel.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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There is nothing that can ruin trying to sleep through a redeye like the sunrise hitting your face.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His effect on next-door Canada, however, has been to demolish America’s reputation.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
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The Pennsylvania home where Yankees great Reggie Jackson spent his childhood was demolished Monday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The explosion blew out the unit’s window frames, scattering glass shards all across the kitchen and living room.—
Rosa Rahimi,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Maple bats tend to splinter regularly sending shards like projectiles into the stands, while birch bats are more durable.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The loss has brought yet another heartbreak for the Townsend family, stemming from the mass shooting that devastated this suburban Denver community 26 years ago.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, the impending free agent had an 11.25 ERA, two losses and one blown save over 10 games entering Monday.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Vindman and his twin brother, Alex, both blew the whistle on Trump’s attempt to withhold military aid to Ukraine while pressuring the country’s leader to investigate the family of President Joe Biden.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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