shatter 1 of 2

1
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

shatter

2 of 2

noun

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 shatter
Verb
Beyond the financial loss, the experience shattered their hope for the future. Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 As the two vehicles collided, there was a loud boom; their windshields shattered, and the scene was engulfed in smoke. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 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
  • Residents of states that have been impacted by this weekend's storms have posted photos online showing their homes destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Tornadoes pose a severe risk to life and property, with their powerful winds capable of destroying homes, overturning vehicles, and uprooting trees.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To Late April Close, CFO Says - Update RTL pointed to 2024 success stories including Oscar-winner Poor Things, hit Amazon YA series Maxton Hall, Kim Kardashian-produced doc Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar and U.S. entertainment smashes like Family Feud and The Farmer Wants A Wife.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Two people who were in the office area were hit as the vehicle smashed through the building, came out the other side and struck another vehicle, police said.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Rodents have bones, which can choke the cat while eating them, or break into splinters and damage their intestines.
    Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Raw edges add to the appeal but may cause splinters when handling.
    BestReviews, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Alli Jo adds that the kids left school to appear on the date with Grant and the ladies, so Zoe ruined their day, too.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • During the 2020 election campaign, Trump said the AFFH rule would ruin the suburbs by forcing more affordable housing.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Most of the historic neighborhood theater buildings were either demolished or destroyed by fire, often replaced by parking lots or highways.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Safety nets hang in the warm air above the 1,800 species of tropical, subtropical, and temperate plants and trees to catch any falling shards.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Walks off, comes back with first-aid kit, has Finer remove shirt, sits on chair before him, tends to his wounds, picking out shards, putting bloody shards on table, applying salve.
    George Saunders, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 12 Mar. 2025
  • By dumping more toxic substances into the landfills, there’s a higher chance of chemicals leaking into groundwater or becoming part of airborne dust blowing into nearby communities.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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