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
The administration’s norm-shattering masks a more fundamental misunderstanding of how administrative power can bring about lasting change.
—
Joshua M. Sharfstein, STAT, 16 May 2026
At that price point, the home will likely become the most expensive home sold in Miami-Dade, shattering the record set by Zuckerberg earlier this year.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
El-Said added that one of the teens threw a glass bottle at his face, shattering it in his eye.
—Rina Nakano, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Throughout its run, the production has become a box office phenomenon, repeatedly shattering house records and becoming the first show in the venue's 121-year history to gross more than $1 million in a single week.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
In what was undoubtedly earth shattering news for anyone with a tattoo of a chef's knife on their forearm, the trailer for the Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony, dropped this week.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 May 2026
Notable incidents include arrests near a school in Encinitas, agents shattering the windows of an Oceanside home during an early morning raid and detentions of ride-share drivers near Camp Pendleton.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
If the record pace continues, TDT will raise well over $400 million in the current fiscal year, shattering last year’s mark.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Once inside, after shattering the hospital’s sliding glass doors, the officers found an empty ER, with a blood trail leading down the hall.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 May 2026
Joshua M. Sharfstein, STAT, 16 May 2026
At that price point, the home will likely become the most expensive home sold in Miami-Dade, shattering the record set by Zuckerberg earlier this year.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
El-Said added that one of the teens threw a glass bottle at his face, shattering it in his eye.
—Rina Nakano, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Throughout its run, the production has become a box office phenomenon, repeatedly shattering house records and becoming the first show in the venue's 121-year history to gross more than $1 million in a single week.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
In what was undoubtedly earth shattering news for anyone with a tattoo of a chef's knife on their forearm, the trailer for the Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony, dropped this week.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 May 2026
Notable incidents include arrests near a school in Encinitas, agents shattering the windows of an Oceanside home during an early morning raid and detentions of ride-share drivers near Camp Pendleton.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
If the record pace continues, TDT will raise well over $400 million in the current fiscal year, shattering last year’s mark.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Once inside, after shattering the hospital’s sliding glass doors, the officers found an empty ER, with a blood trail leading down the hall.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
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Back in 2023, the small drones started destroying any truck or van within several miles of the front, often in high-speed chases.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Anomalies then occurred during an engine relight sequence, destroying a significant part of the Superheavy aft and resulting in a loss of control.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
Verb
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With the help of White and Daniels, Colbert, with permission from the studio, started smashing up the old set, threw the pieces away into a dumpster, and lit it on fire — thanks to the approval of their fire Marshall (Mathers).—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 May 2026
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Richemont’s division, which includes Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Buccellati, grew 16% in Q4 — smashing expectations of an 11% uplift and surpassing the previous quarter, when jewelry sales grew 14%.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
Verb
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When sound came in, people were writing all these articles about how sound is ruining films.—
Andy Hazel,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
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Dyckman’s sharing the top three outdoor decor trends that are ruining your space—plus, her favorite Amazon swaps to fix them, starting at $22.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Indeed, back in the 1990s and 2000s, municipalities across the country were happily demolishing Brutalist eyesores made to house the poor.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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The work included demolishing one stand entirely to create the space required to facilitate those media demands.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Initial tests suggested the outbreak does not involve the Ebola Zaire strain, which caused Congo’s devastating 2018–2020 epidemic that killed more than 1,000 people.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
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Captiva Though the recovery isn’t totally complete, Captiva is bouncing back from both 2022’s devastating Hurricane Ian and the rough 2024 hurricane season.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
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Trump now faces a break-the-glass moment to avoid gas prices from blowing past Biden-era records highs.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
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On 16 December 2021, typhoon Odette rang in a new chapter, wrecking the island and reducing much of the resort to rubble.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
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The line was a wrecking crew that also managed to outscore the opposition.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The planes then fall together, exploding into a fireball upon impact as the crew members drift to the ground nearby.—
Rebecca Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
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The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.—
Greg Wehner , Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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