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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shattering
This happens when heavy rain or snowmelt raises the river level, shattering the existing ice cover.
—
Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
The first attempt ended in shattering disappointment.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
In Norway, a former prime minister was charged with corruption linked to Epstein, while a princess is also named in the files, shattering Norway’s self-image as egalitarian, high-trust, and low corruption, a Norwegian academic wrote in The Guardian.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.
—John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
But there are no predictions of record-shattering win totals this time – even as the Dodgers head into the season as favorites to three-peat.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The new Wade is an endlessly wisecracking chatterbox, shattering the fourth wall with gleeful abandon.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026
McConnell served as the Senate Republican leader for a record-shattering 18 years — the longest- serving party leader of either party.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
The first attempt ended in shattering disappointment.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
In Norway, a former prime minister was charged with corruption linked to Epstein, while a princess is also named in the files, shattering Norway’s self-image as egalitarian, high-trust, and low corruption, a Norwegian academic wrote in The Guardian.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.
—John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
But there are no predictions of record-shattering win totals this time – even as the Dodgers head into the season as favorites to three-peat.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The new Wade is an endlessly wisecracking chatterbox, shattering the fourth wall with gleeful abandon.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026
McConnell served as the Senate Republican leader for a record-shattering 18 years — the longest- serving party leader of either party.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
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But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In August 2024, students stormed her official residence, smashing walls and looting its contents, forcing her to flee into neighboring India and exile.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Football in particular was hard to understand, with plays that last only seconds and the jarring violence of giant men smashing into each other.—
Erendira Rendon,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Bree doesn’t even realize that Evan is already in the process of ruining everything.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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The project calls for demolishing a 1949 single-family home and building a 2,500-square-foot contemporary building to be used as a Jewish ritual pool for women for spiritual purification.—
Lauren Costantino
February 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bass, politically bruised over her handling of last year’s devastating Palisades fire, now faces an insurgent campaign from one of the City Council’s savviest players.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Reality Check makes a point to mention ad nauseam that much of the public backlash toward America’s Next Top Model took hold following the pandemic, when a majority of people were blowing through their to-watch queue, desperately seeking fresh viewing fodder.—
Hunter Lacey,
Allure,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The wrecking contractor did a superb job of clearing the area.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The creative industries there were exploding.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
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Ratner, of course, earned Hollywood over $2 billion with his blockbusters about gunfire and exploding cars.—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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