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
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
Last weekend, Michael, the big-screen film about Michael Jackson, brought in $97 million domestically and $217 million internationally, shattering records for music biopics.
—Allison Samuels, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
Meyer still brokers earth-shattering private deals, but for the last decade, he’s been sorting through Si’s deep collection.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
But even when one of the stars has his own reality-shattering Truman Show moment, the show must go on.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
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
Last weekend, Michael, the big-screen film about Michael Jackson, brought in $97 million domestically and $217 million internationally, shattering records for music biopics.
—Allison Samuels, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
Meyer still brokers earth-shattering private deals, but for the last decade, he’s been sorting through Si’s deep collection.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
But even when one of the stars has his own reality-shattering Truman Show moment, the show must go on.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
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In the team's binary merger model, the compact object is close enough to its stellar companion to rip off its outer hydrogen layer without completely destroying the star.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt’s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents’ home.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Surveillance video captured the assault, which showed the victim being repeatedly struck in the head with a hammer after confronting the suspect for smashing her car window.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
My hand was in a lot of pain from smashing the cane everywhere.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Unchecked homelessness is ruining our cities and communities.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many family members are opposed to demolishing and/or selling the property.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
8 May 2026
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The Preakness is taking place at Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington this spring while its longtime home, Pimlico Race Course, is rebuilt as part of a massive construction project that included demolishing the debilitating old structure.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists’ warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country’s last remaining wild areas.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
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Two tornadoes ripped through west Michigan on April 14, devastating a family dairy farm in Fenick, releasing hundreds of cows and leaving thousands without power.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Think of the way the path smells ahead of you, think of the freedom the wind is blowing your way.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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The suspect exited the 105 Freeway in Inglewood and cut through oncoming traffic after blowing through a red light.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The Bills will head into the season without a true, identifiable game-wrecking defensive player on the roster.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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The animal begins wrecking the fields and terrorizing the people.—
Perin Gürel,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Such reactions come despite the drugs’ exploding popularity.—
Robert Abitbol,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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The professional game is exploding, too.—
Robin Swithinbank,
Robb Report,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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