shattering

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

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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

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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 novels follow Cammie Skoura, a brilliant, neurodivergent young scientist aboard a deep-space expedition that uncovers a trail of ancient ruins and long-dead alien civilizations leading toward a mind-shattering discovery. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026 Plus, Skullcandy's Crusher Bass technology utilizes dedicated bass drivers to really give you a head-banging experience, sending bone-shattering bass pulsating through your skull. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026 An August heat wave brought record-shattering temperatures to Southern California. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 Jackson has poured more than $200 million of his personal fortune into the race, shattering state records. — AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026 As chairman of the Jackie Robinson Day Committee, Levis helped organize the celebration and personally presented the ceiling-shattering Black major leaguer with gifts from fans across the country. — Zachary Kranc, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 Trouvé seems drawn to anything that implies a semblance of order and finding ways of shattering it along the way. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Divorce can be world-shattering for the people experiencing it. — Grey Battle, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 While much of the plot still remains hidden in the eastern European nation of Latveria, it is known to feature heroes from different timelines that team-up to fight the universe-shattering peril of a sorcerer scientist named Doctor Doom. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
  • This is the one thing that can stop the agents from destroying us.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Cyberattacks against supermarket refrigeration systems have disrupted grocery operations across Europe, with hackers remotely manipulating temperature controls and destroying perishable food.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police.
    — ELITSA GADEVA, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This was the 36th launch and landing for B1063, which notably launched NASA's DART asteroid-smashing mission in November 2021.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Someone else even complained about the self-clean feature ruining their appliance.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Most hunters probably would have taken a shot at the five-pointer, ruining their chances for the record-class bull.
    — Rich LaRocco, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Factor in the unmatched joy kids get from putting peppermint bark in a bag and demolishing it with a rolling pin?
    — Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Following the attack, the Israeli military began forcing Palestinian families to leave their homes in parts of the city as forces began demolishing homes and businesses.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The earthquake comes less than two months after a border region of Nepal and Tibet was struck by devastating flash flooding that left hundreds of people dead and destroyed several communities.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since April 2023, devastating large parts of the country and threatening stability along its borders.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The professional and business services sector, as the agency classifies it, gained 70,000 jobs, blowing past its average monthly gain of 15,000 over the past year.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Electric fireplaces produce heat by blowing air over heated coils or with infrared light and can be used with or without the heating function engaged.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • And the Bears’ defense got a major boost with last week’s blockbuster trade for game-wrecking defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • On Mljet, while walking back from the lakes with our wet hair dripping down our backs, someone asks whether anyone has a hair mask, because the sea salt is wrecking hers and ruining her extensions.
    — Michaela Trimble, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The series’ second season is invigorating, too, but in a different way, like an icy wind finding its way under your scarf, or a snowball exploding into a puff of powder on your face.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
  • It was rebroadcast around the country, and the exploding whale became a kind of mascot for Florence and a point of pride for many of its residents.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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