1
as in destroys
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 smashes
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 demolishes
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 shatters
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
But the illusion shatters when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog… as HER boyfriend Danny’s dog.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
His refusal to take the curse seriously shatters her trust, leaving her questioning their entire relationship.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Security footage provided by Elfvin shows the robot rolling directly into the side panel of a bus shelter, which shatters and showers the robot and sidewalk around it with what appears to be glass shards.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
For example, people now take care to wear shoes at home in case an explosion shatters glass, or there’s a need to evacuate immediately.
—Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
At that moment, the mirror reflecting the entire contents of Frenza’s mind from the past few days shatters in a kaleidoscope of dreams.
—Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Unlike more cohesive dictatorships, Iran’s youth, middle class and ethnic minorities — Persians number less than 50% in a nation with seven major ethnic groups — are primed to rise once air power shatters the mullahs’ control.
—Chuck Devore, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
The other, from the southwest Khuzestan province, has a filling of dates, walnuts and coconut and pastry that shatters like a shell.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
But the illusion shatters when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog… as HER boyfriend Danny’s dog.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
His refusal to take the curse seriously shatters her trust, leaving her questioning their entire relationship.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Security footage provided by Elfvin shows the robot rolling directly into the side panel of a bus shelter, which shatters and showers the robot and sidewalk around it with what appears to be glass shards.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
For example, people now take care to wear shoes at home in case an explosion shatters glass, or there’s a need to evacuate immediately.
—Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
At that moment, the mirror reflecting the entire contents of Frenza’s mind from the past few days shatters in a kaleidoscope of dreams.
—Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Unlike more cohesive dictatorships, Iran’s youth, middle class and ethnic minorities — Persians number less than 50% in a nation with seven major ethnic groups — are primed to rise once air power shatters the mullahs’ control.
—Chuck Devore, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatters
Verb
-
The disease — a fatal, genetic neurological disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain — did not just affect Spalding physically.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
And this destroys a lot of Putin’s narrative.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The team smashes Vidalia onions directly into the beef to make the patties superthin, then top them with brown mustard, American cheese and pickles.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
-
Yang smashes the model minority stereotype by creating a deeply flawed antihero and deliciously twisty tale.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The dress is adorned with mother of pearl diamond shards, pearls and crystal xillions.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
-
That film generated some moody power before collapsing into a pile of surrealist-horror shards.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sofia Carson blows kisses to the camera during the amfAR Gala Cannes 2026 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 21.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
Maybe our driver blows an engine.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Bricks, scorched wood frame splinters and other debris are scattered there.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In 1903, a vicious winter storm reduced most of the piers to splinters, and by 1906 offshore oil production at Summerland had all but ceased.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fire devastates the area, burning down the couple's entire property.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Florida’s citrus industry has been in a steady decline the past 25 years because of Huanglongbing (also known as HLB and citrus greening disease), a bacterial disease that devastates citrus trees.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the realization that nothing—or no one—will be enough overcomes the final bridge, a flurry of drums gallop in and the track explodes into fireworks as Rodrigo screams her guts out.—
Quinn Moreland,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
-
Glass explodes from every window; the air turns cold; lights flicker and die.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shatters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatters. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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