1
as in to destroy
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 to smash
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 to demolish
to cause to break with violence and much noise
shattered the priceless vase in one clumsy fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in splinter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shatter
Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025
Mosese confronts the moments that shattered and shaped him.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Feb. 2025
Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Sep. 2024
Just as the timer runs out, the windows on the house shatter and the oven door clangs open.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shatter 
Verb
With an almost 47 miles per gallon range, the Turbo E-Hybrid goes from comfort and hybrid efficient SUV, to the turn of a dial, and its 700+ horsepower of earth shattering, noise fulfilling dream ride comes unglued.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025
Mosese confronts the moments that shattered and shaped him.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Lamps shatter, biting and choking ensues, and by the time the 28 minutes are done, mayhem — literal and emotional — spills out from every corner.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Sep. 2024
Just as the timer runs out, the windows on the house shatter and the oven door clangs open.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatter
Verb
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In addition to Meester and Brody, Cameron Mathison, Anna Faris, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag were among the stars who confirmed that their homes were also destroyed.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
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Gazans are also facing dehydration with 70% of critical water infrastructure damaged or destroyed throughout the war, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These carnivorous crustaceans pack a powerful punch that can smash mollusk shells at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and even break glass.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
7 Feb. 2025
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France’s Ad Vitam has entered Netflix’s all-time top ten for most popular non-English movies on its platform one week after Culpa Tuya smashed records for Amazon.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Plus, wooden tools and handles might crack, splinter, and break if exposed to excess moisture.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
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Popular on Variety The tone for proceedings is set by an introductory anecdote that Ricciardi relates directly to camera, concerning a teenage masturbation mishap that left him with splinters in the head of his member.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The film ends with Ross going full Red Hulk in the White House Rose Garden (oops), nearly ruining his legacy (Sterns’ real prize) and ultimately forcing him to admit his wrongdoing, give up his office, and head to The Raft to serve an undetermined amount of time in the floating prison.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
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Ancient people weren't about to let these pests ruin their crops or their lives.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Crimson Tide have won their last seven games, most recently demolishing Texas 103-80 on Tuesday.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
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While exploring the basement of a building slated to be demolished for the upcoming office tower, the scientists unearthed the remains of what once served as the foundation of a two-story building, nearly as large as an Olympic swimming pool.—
Sophia Compton,
Fox News,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The researchers behind the brain plastics study think the tiny shards of plastic hitch a ride on fat molecules to get inside brain cells.—
Megha Satyanarayana,
Scientific American,
14 Feb. 2025
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Overall, cadaver brain samples contained seven to 30 times more tiny shards of plastic than their kidneys and liver, said co-lead study author Matthew Campen, Regents’ Professor and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As the fires devastated the city, some of the first aid administered to Los Angeles was provided by chefs and restaurants.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2025
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Friends began to worry, and then were devastated by the news, KATV reported.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Spartans jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, but blew the game open in the second behind Blair’s playmaking.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2025
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Finer orders pizza, Kate G. puts on music, Paige (receptionist) throws open windows to let crazy pre-rain breeze blow through.—
George Saunders,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near shatter
Cite this Entry
“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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