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
Relevance
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
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 shatters
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 31 Mar. 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
Mahajan simultaneously shatters and showcases Hindu nationalism.
—Sibani Ram, Los Angeles Times, 23 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
Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 31 Mar. 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
Mahajan simultaneously shatters and showcases Hindu nationalism.
—Sibani Ram, Los Angeles Times, 23 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
-
Sprinkle dill over your food after cooking, as heat destroys its flavor.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outside forces’ in scathing promo Cody Rhodes’ promos in the midst of Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line on what was real and what was kayfabe.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union breaks his world outdoor pole vault record and Seppo Raty of Finland smashes the world javelin record during the Toto International Super Track and Field Meet in Japan.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Before the opening credits roll, Creasy smashes his car into a concrete barrier.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 39-year-old artist was finally gaining recognition abroad for his contorted, geometric sculptures made of thousands of hand-cut mirror shards reaching as high as 27 feet.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Yes, people still get ripped out of a hole in the fuselage like always, but not until after they’ve been obliterated by flying snack carts and diced apart by shards of broken glass.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 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
-
As the incumbent mayor, Bass had to weather blows from her challengers while trying to sell voters on her fitness for another term, despite a disastrous 2025.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
During their stroll, Monroe stands over a subway grate as the whoosh of a passing train blows the skirt of her white halter dress up, a welcome respite from the sweltering heatwave that has gripped the city.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
6 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
-
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
-
Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.—
Derek Gatopoulos,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the video, an officer tries to use a key to enter the residence when the front of the building explodes in a fiery blast.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
And this is where the computing space explodes.—
Glenn Zorpette,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shatters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatters. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
