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
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
For the first time in the postwar era, Washington has succeeded in killing a foreign leader—shattering a precedent that had been sustained for decades by a mix of moral, political, and logistical concerns.
—Tim Naftali, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Gambill fired, and a shootout ensued, shattering the glass cases and filling the shop with smoke.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Lab studies have generally found shutters can reduce the risk of windows shattering.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
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
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
For the first time in the postwar era, Washington has succeeded in killing a foreign leader—shattering a precedent that had been sustained for decades by a mix of moral, political, and logistical concerns.
—Tim Naftali, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Gambill fired, and a shootout ensued, shattering the glass cases and filling the shop with smoke.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Lab studies have generally found shutters can reduce the risk of windows shattering.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
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The beams would be far brighter than the full moon and, even if carefully pointed, would scatter in the atmosphere to be very bright off-beam, disrupting wildlife and effectively destroying the sky’s remaining natural beauty by erasing the stars from our sight.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
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An estimated 50,000 pounds of ice collapsed the sanctuary roof, destroying nearly everything.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Costco recommends wrapping it in a towel and smashing it into pieces with a hammer.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
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Vulture hosted a special screening of the pilot with ABC on March 3, and Speedman answered all of our questions about smashing props and doing his own stunts.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump has long mocked Bush for ruining his presidency by invading Iraq, and his administration over the past week has sought to downplay any parallels between Bush’s misadventures and its own attack on Iran.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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The arena, which would host sports, concerts and other events, is is expected to cost around $242 million to build, though the entire renovation, which includes demolishing the 58-year-old Millet Hall and installing parking near Cook Field, could cost up to $281 million.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Other possibilities involve demolishing the structure for street-level transit or repurposing it as a pedestrian and bicycle trail.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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The Wolves were determined to run him off the 3-point line in an effort to limit his effectiveness, but Bane countered by putting the ball on the floor and blowing by Minnesota’s perimeter defenders all game.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Ice crystals skittered across the plateau, catching in the curve of the sastrugi before blowing free.—
Cree LeFavour,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Earthlings aren't the only ones safe from a city-wrecking-size asteroid.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Plowden made his presence felt early, exploding to the basket for a dunk before hitting a 3-pointer later in the first quarter.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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Between the 1919 Black Sox scandal and the 2005 World Series title, two-time White Sox owner Bill Veeck was a sports marketing pioneer, literally adding fireworks to the fan experience with the first exploding scoreboard at the original Comiskey Park.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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