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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shattering
Trump has gone far toward shattering what’s left of America’s global stature.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The auction comes just weeks after David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster sold for a record-shattering $14,550,000.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
In the middle of the mantra, the priest took a call on his cell phone, somewhat shattering the weight of the moment.
—Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
But customers should not expect earth-shattering menu changes.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
With large hailstones capable of shattering windshields and denting vehicles, meteorologists are urging residents to move cars into garages, covered parking areas or sheltered spots.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
To create an environment where everyone feels welcome and to create a business, shattering records and delivering community impact in a way that is embedded in its business model.
—Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Atlanta Police Department During the incident, a stray bullet struck an Atlanta Public Schools bus, shattering one of its windows.
—Cbs News Atlanta Staff, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
But record-shattering heat will continue in the Southeast, with no relief coming this weekend.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The auction comes just weeks after David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster sold for a record-shattering $14,550,000.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
In the middle of the mantra, the priest took a call on his cell phone, somewhat shattering the weight of the moment.
—Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
But customers should not expect earth-shattering menu changes.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
With large hailstones capable of shattering windshields and denting vehicles, meteorologists are urging residents to move cars into garages, covered parking areas or sheltered spots.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
To create an environment where everyone feels welcome and to create a business, shattering records and delivering community impact in a way that is embedded in its business model.
—Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Atlanta Police Department During the incident, a stray bullet struck an Atlanta Public Schools bus, shattering one of its windows.
—Cbs News Atlanta Staff, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
But record-shattering heat will continue in the Southeast, with no relief coming this weekend.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
-
Hamas’ charter calls for destroying Israel.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
When season five begins, Ed is a leader in the separatist group the Sons and Daughters of Mars, a former agent of the ruling order now intent on destroying it.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In footage shared by the BBC on X, Medvedev, who suffered a 6-0 6-0 loss during the 49-minute match, was filmed smashing up his tennis racket six times and angrily tossing it across the court.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
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At the nearly 17-mile-long circular particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) that sits deep below the French Alps, CERN scientists recreated the quark-gluon plasma by smashing together atomic nuclei of iron at near-light speed.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Monday’s game offered yet another example of how the team that supposedly is ruining baseball is fattening the wallets of the league’s other 29 teams.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Your couch has a fabric cleaning code — usually printed on a tag tucked under the cushions — and ignoring it can mean ruining the upholstery.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The musician and fashion mogul began the process of demolishing the architectural gem, completely stripping its electricity, plumbing, bathrooms, and windows.—
India Roby,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Michigan basketball team is headed to the NCAA national championship game Monday night after demolishing Arizona 93-71 in the Final Four on Saturday in Indianapolis.—
Brian Manzullo,
Freep.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For this woman, devastating in her humanity and dignity throughout the four months of the extraordinary trial, who was propelled into becoming a global icon in the fight against the violence done to women, the time has now come to rebuild.—
TIME,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
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Our team found that a hospital cyberattack cut the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest without devastating brain damage by nearly 90% at nearby hospitals, not just the one that was attacked.—
Jeffrey Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Visibility could drop below a quarter of a mile due to falling and blowing snow, the NWS says.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This is especially helpful for blowing debris out of hard-to-reach crevices.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But here’s the thing — ignoring your gutters is one of the fastest ways to turn a free weekend project into a budget-wrecking emergency repair.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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This might drive like a dirt race, giving Reddick, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell a chance to shine as their cars are on the verge of wrecking.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sources say Doomsday is exploding on long-lead tracking.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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