1
as in destroying
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 smashing
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 demolishing
to cause to break with violence and much noise
shattered the priceless vase in one clumsy fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of shattering
On April 12, Péter Magyar of the Tisza party won by a landslide, altering the course of Hungary’s history and shattering voter turnout records.
—
Alexandra Levy, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Meyer still brokers earth-shattering private deals, but for the last decade, he’s been sorting through Si’s deep collection.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
But even when one of the stars has his own reality-shattering Truman Show moment, the show must go on.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
In 2024, the Queens native starred in the London production of Lindsey Ferrentino’s eye-opening play, which tells the shattering true story of Nick Yarris, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder and spent 22 years on Pennsylvania’s death row.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Carson smothers it over a crisp and shattering tortilla with tart pickled jalapeño, silky avocado crema and a blizzard of cotija cheese.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Bodycam footage released by the APD, per ABC7, shows an SUV crashing into the front of the FoodMaxX store and shattering the glass as two people exit the car and run inside.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
In a race for the ages, Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday, shattering the previous men’s world record by an astonishing 65 seconds.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Kenyan runner won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, shattering the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Alexandra Levy, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Meyer still brokers earth-shattering private deals, but for the last decade, he’s been sorting through Si’s deep collection.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
But even when one of the stars has his own reality-shattering Truman Show moment, the show must go on.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
In 2024, the Queens native starred in the London production of Lindsey Ferrentino’s eye-opening play, which tells the shattering true story of Nick Yarris, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder and spent 22 years on Pennsylvania’s death row.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Carson smothers it over a crisp and shattering tortilla with tart pickled jalapeño, silky avocado crema and a blizzard of cotija cheese.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Bodycam footage released by the APD, per ABC7, shows an SUV crashing into the front of the FoodMaxX store and shattering the glass as two people exit the car and run inside.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
In a race for the ages, Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday, shattering the previous men’s world record by an astonishing 65 seconds.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Kenyan runner won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, shattering the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
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In the team's binary merger model, the compact object is close enough to its stellar companion to rip off its outer hydrogen layer without completely destroying the star.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt’s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents’ home.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Verb
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While the fat purple hairs are busy screaming on Bluesky, Danica is out smashing forehands looking chiseled.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
Shake hands with yourself, smashing and stretching the butter.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Matt Olson hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen, ruining a dominant performance by Tarik Skubal and rallying the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Many family members are opposed to demolishing and/or selling the property.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
8 May 2026
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The Preakness is taking place at Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington this spring while its longtime home, Pimlico Race Course, is rebuilt as part of a massive construction project that included demolishing the debilitating old structure.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists’ warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country’s last remaining wild areas.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
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Two tornadoes ripped through west Michigan on April 14, devastating a family dairy farm in Fenick, releasing hundreds of cows and leaving thousands without power.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Anika Reed Latin music superstar Maluma opted for a dapper Tom Ford suit with his hair slicked back into a bun, blowing USA TODAY a kiss before exiting the carpet.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
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Police and fire departments in North Arlington warned that prevailing winds were blowing smoke east into North Arlington and advised all residents to close their windows.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The Bills will head into the season without a true, identifiable game-wrecking defensive player on the roster.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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The animal begins wrecking the fields and terrorizing the people.—
Perin Gürel,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My head was exploding with the iciest cold.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
New York’s gritty downtown scene was exploding, high-camp drag queens and nightclub personalities like Kevin Aviance and Lady Bunny were becoming icons, and house and ballroom music were filtering into the mainstream.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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