shattering

Definition of shatteringnext
present participle of shatter
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

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 shattering The ongoing heat wave shattering dozens of temperature records in Southern California is no exception, Swain said. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 Made up of infected IoT devices, digital video recorders, and even virtual machines, Aisuru has been grabbing headlines for launching DDoS assaults reaching as high as 30Tbps, shattering the previous records. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026 The blistering conditions came as the Southwest experiences a record-shattering winter heat wave, which is forecast to stick around through the first half of next week. CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 According to court records, one of the bullets pierced the digital display of the cash register, shattering glass and plastic and causing injuries to the owner’s face, eye, hand and stomach. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026 Half Moon Bay, typically one of the cooler cities in the region, hit 79, shattering the previous record of 75 set in 1978. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026 Five of his shots were blocked by Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso, who finished with nine for the game and an ACC Tournament-record 20 over three games, shattering Tim Duncan’s record of 14, which stood for 31 years. Steve Reed, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Luxury real estate is getting even more exclusive The backdrop of this trend is a record-shattering luxury real estate market. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026 In the end, that terror takes over, and Jones writes its results with shattering simplicity. Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
  • The man, purportedly Weis, who is now in police custody, was discovered late Monday night by security after hearing reports of someone destroying glass sculptures on the grounds.
    News Desk, Artforum, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is massacring young people and destroying Iran’s future.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The next rebound in temperatures is already underway in parts of the Midwest and will spread to portions of the Northeast into the weekend as the edge of a massive, record-smashing heat dome in the Southwest expands.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Las Vegas hit 99 degrees, smashing the previous record of 93, set in 2022.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Now, months later, residents say the gunfire has shattered their peace, ruining quiet strolls and sunsets on the neighborhood’s lakes.
    Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Causing economic destruction with ridiculous lockdowns, ruining lives and livelihoods…that wasn't enough?
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an IDF missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
    Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The emails contain no detailed exchanges about arena negotiations, no plans tying a new venue to the City Hall site and no evidence of internal talks about demolishing the building for that purpose.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • 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.
    Christian Dameff, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Israel has stepped up assassinations of top Iranian officials in recent days, in what the Israel Defense Forces said was a push to undermine command and control in Iran after more than two weeks of devastating airstrikes that have wiped out military infrastructure but not dislodged the regime.
    Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The episode about Secret Squirrel and the perils of surveillance culture feels more relevant than ever, as does the climate-change episode in which the time-traveling Jetson family sues people of the present for wrecking their future.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Last month, the city approved funds for a wrecking company to demolish buildings in the 1800 and 1900 blocks of Santa Fe.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The clash between Italy’s right-wing leaders and magistrates has punctuated Italian politics, exploding during the governments of late conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi, who was one of the staunchest supporters of the judicial reform.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Led by 50-something Nathan Fillion, The Rookie has become an unlikely viral hit, with its popularity among teens exploding.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on shattering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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