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
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
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
Since launching her record-shattering Eras Tour in 2023, the superstar has inspired fans to emulate everything from her red carpet glamour to her off-duty staples.
—Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 13 Mar. 2026
Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s Southern gothic-horror epic the 21-year-old stars in, has been nominated for a record-shattering 16 awards.
—Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.
—Nik Popli, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Lab studies have generally found shutters can reduce the risk of windows shattering.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Since launching her record-shattering Eras Tour in 2023, the superstar has inspired fans to emulate everything from her red carpet glamour to her off-duty staples.
—Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 13 Mar. 2026
Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s Southern gothic-horror epic the 21-year-old stars in, has been nominated for a record-shattering 16 awards.
—Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.
—Nik Popli, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Lab studies have generally found shutters can reduce the risk of windows shattering.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
-
Iran itself is destroying homes and schools, killing and wounding dozens, and disrupting daily life, sometimes beyond recognition.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But destroying much of Iran’s ability to project power and attacking the security forces that suppress the Iranian public will surely hasten the regime’s collapse.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Have a little fun in the kitchen smashing the tiny spuds before seasoning with garlic and rosemary.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The president, who admits this all could be challenged in court, urged the panel to back the SCORE Act, which would preempt state regulation of NIL payments, which the Commander in Chief says are especially ruining women’s sports.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Google Nest WiFi Deal Bad Wi-Fi has a way of ruining everything.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Simply demolishing it would cost a tiny fraction of that.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The city should follow that advice, and scrap the idea of demolishing its historic civic architecture.—
Mark Lamster
Architecture Critic,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rain fell, devastating the snowpack.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But by the early 1990s, industrial bottom trawlers had decimated cod stocks, and in 1992, the Canadian government instituted a moratorium on cod fishing, devastating the industry and ending a long-standing way of life.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wind speeds were blowing at 12 mph in Grant, with gusts up to 29 mph, and Fairplay was seeing winds at 21 mph with gusts of up to 38 mph at the time of the closure, according to AccuWeather.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Elsewhere, a driver was rescued after calling 911 when her Chevy sedan stalled in high water, wrecking just off the road in Morgan Township, according to dispatchers.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Democratic states like Illinois, Washington and Massachusetts are exploding state spending and proposing tax hikes on top earners to fund an ever-growing array of programs and handouts.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
And Elijah Wood provides a cheeky, bemused-insider vibe as the Danforths’ lawyer, who’s overseeing the technicalities and generally hiding behind a lectern when contestants start exploding.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
