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
Relevance
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
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shatter
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
But in October 2014, a revelation shattered that wholesome image for good when an audio recording surfaced of him admitting to molesting three children.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Verb
The fish look like they’ve been plucked from the surface of the moon, with a porous, shaggy batter that shatters.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
But in October 2014, a revelation shattered that wholesome image for good when an audio recording surfaced of him admitting to molesting three children.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Noun
Shortly before serving, the blocks of compressed spuds are portioned and fried until the edges shatter like glass but the interior remains soft.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatter
Verb
-
The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The Bears smashed 3 home runs in the game with Avery Welch getting things started with a 2-run shot in the bottom of the first after a 1-out walk to Haylie Jimenez.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 May 2026
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Lopez, who smashed 15 homers last season, nearly had his fourth of the season on Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Some interpreted McVay’s demeanor on Thursday night as evidence of a splinter in one of the league’s most successful partnerships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Not-so-splendid splinter During a 1976 game against the Dodgers at San Diego Stadium, Padres left-hander Randy Jones was pitching to the Dodgers’ Bill Russell to lead off the seventh inning.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Scrubbing can ruin the finish on fabric, especially upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
Safeguarding the location of the Bezos’ party could save the man Forbes calls the world’s fourth-richest person from having protesters ruin his evening.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The Browns will pay for their current home to be demolished after the 2028 season, which will make way for lakefront development.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Trump has overseen dramatic cosmetic changes on the White House grounds during his second term, including paving over the grassy line of the famous Rose Garden and demolishing the White House's East Wing to make way for a massive ballroom.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
1 May 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
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The deadly fires that devastated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena also laid waste to a lush canopy of leaves and pine needles that had cooled and shaded residents here for generations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Such local weather events have devastated rural communities in recent years.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Anika Reed Latin music superstar Maluma opted for a dapper Tom Ford suit with his hair slicked back into a bun, blowing USA TODAY a kiss before exiting the carpet.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
-
Brunson had 27 points by halftime, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that blew the score to 74-51 and gave him the second-most first-half points in Knicks playoff history.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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