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
There was the notable exception of Kyle Tucker batting second, a little reminder that the winner of the last two World Series, and the franchise that is shattering payroll and luxury tax records in the process, managed to add another All-Star bat at an average value of $60 million per season.
—
Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the Intermountain West has suffered through a record-shattering snow drought and exceedingly warm conditions that will have critical implications to water availability in the region this year.
—Naema Ahmed, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Temperatures in several communities in the Rio Grande Valley surged into triple digits, shattering daily records.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
His visit is the latest olive branch from Washington to a network of hard-line nationalists across Europe, with Vice President JD Vance shattering norms last year by meeting with leaders from Germany’s far-right AfD party.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Not that the prospect of shattering Doncaster’s EFL record for both lowest points and most defeats (34) — or even the long-standing Football League record of 18 consecutive defeats, set by Darwen way back in 1898-99 — will deter the likes of Oldfield.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Once the salt is fully removed to prevent the ceramic glazes from shattering, the items are expected to be featured at Singapore’s national museums, offering visitors a real glimpse into the city-state’s 700-year-old history.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
Meteorologists said the storm is the strongest in a decade, dumping more than 2 feet of snow in parts of the metropolitan Northeast, shattering accumulation records in places, immobilizing transit and even leading the United Nations to postpone a Security Council meeting.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Meteorologists said the storm is the strongest in a decade, dumping more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow in parts of the metropolitan Northeast, shattering accumulation records in places, immobilizing transit and even leading the United Nations to postpone a Security Council meeting.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the Intermountain West has suffered through a record-shattering snow drought and exceedingly warm conditions that will have critical implications to water availability in the region this year.
—Naema Ahmed, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Temperatures in several communities in the Rio Grande Valley surged into triple digits, shattering daily records.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
His visit is the latest olive branch from Washington to a network of hard-line nationalists across Europe, with Vice President JD Vance shattering norms last year by meeting with leaders from Germany’s far-right AfD party.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Not that the prospect of shattering Doncaster’s EFL record for both lowest points and most defeats (34) — or even the long-standing Football League record of 18 consecutive defeats, set by Darwen way back in 1898-99 — will deter the likes of Oldfield.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Once the salt is fully removed to prevent the ceramic glazes from shattering, the items are expected to be featured at Singapore’s national museums, offering visitors a real glimpse into the city-state’s 700-year-old history.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
Meteorologists said the storm is the strongest in a decade, dumping more than 2 feet of snow in parts of the metropolitan Northeast, shattering accumulation records in places, immobilizing transit and even leading the United Nations to postpone a Security Council meeting.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Meteorologists said the storm is the strongest in a decade, dumping more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow in parts of the metropolitan Northeast, shattering accumulation records in places, immobilizing transit and even leading the United Nations to postpone a Security Council meeting.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
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One woman, in her 30s, had been hit by bird shot at close range, destroying the roof of her mouth and the area around her nose and below her eyes, the surgeon recalled.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
On Monday, a judge issued a temporary restraining order that presumably prevents the defendants from altering or destroying any evidence at the refinery.—
Patrick Danner,
San Antonio Express-News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pickleball has been smashing expectations nationwide.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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With its riveting trombone and smashing rhythms, the music exhilarated.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The White House believed that that Iran was intentionally ruining the Mideast peace process, and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich had called Iran the most dangerous nation on Earth.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
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Trying to gather gossip under her own byline didn't work as well, and the new mom was also started to have ethical qualms about her work of ruining the reputations of women and men in the 'ton.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The city kicked in $8 million in tax credits, grants, and loans, buying the land and demolishing the building that had stood on it.—
Bryce Covert,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Feb. 2026
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The next phase includes demolishing the former office area of the reactor and portions of its outer structure.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Through the implementation of strong border policies, fentanyl trafficking across the southern border has been slashed in half, leading to fewer overdose deaths devastating American families.—
Gabe Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
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The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Another underestimated hazard is blowing dust.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Listed at 6-3 and 315 pounds, the ultra-athletic Woods is the prototype for a game-wrecking defensive tackle.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
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From tiny insects like flies and butterflies at the edge of the frame, to large mountains, clouds full of rain, even great wrecking machines — everything is animated with precision and beauty.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On February 24, the first night of public access, the system created and distributed some 800,000 alerts, sending out notifications for swooping asteroids, exploding stars, flaring supermassive black holes and other transient celestial events.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
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The incidents illustrate how prediction markets—which let people bet on real world events from sports and elections to celebrity behavior, and which are exploding in popularity—are also tempting some individuals to make a quick buck from insider information.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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