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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shatter
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
The film shattered box office expectations for its genre at the time and was considered a significant milestone for representation in Hollywood — proving that audiences were hungry to see stories about women of color.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 23 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
One of the teens, Elwood Curtis, sees his dreams of attending college shattered when he is sentenced to Nickel Academy, a brutal reformatory in the Jim Crow South.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
The film shattered box office expectations for its genre at the time and was considered a significant milestone for representation in Hollywood — proving that audiences were hungry to see stories about women of color.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 23 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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Lost in a sea of ash: When wildfire destroys a home — and a loved one’s urn — the search begins.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
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This is a major U-turn from Riot, after completely revamping the rewards system at the start of the year and being destroyed by fans for it.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And being choked at the age of 80 while your face is being smashed into the ground?—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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Her shop’s front glass door was smashed and her point of sale system, electronics and some merchandise were taken.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Raw edges add to the appeal but may cause splinters when handling.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2025
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Be sure to include tweezers for removing splinters or ticks, gauze for bleeding, antibiotic ointment, blister treatment, children’s pain reliever and antihistamine, antiseptic wipes, and lots of bandages.—
Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan,
Outside Online,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes, one bad person or a few bad people can ruin things for everybody.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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The floods were also a disaster for businesses that lost valuable stock, like a local bookstore which saw $25,000 worth of books ruined, the BBC reported.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Work carefully: Start by removing larger pieces, then vacuum or sweep up small shards.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
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During an impassioned monologue about pharmaceutical industry subsidies, Stewart slammed a coffee mug down on his desk and shattered it, still holding several shards in his palm amid the wreckage.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Without an effective treatment, the disease could devastate her harvest, leaving her unable to repay her loans or provide for her family.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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On Hollywood's biggest night, Colman Domingo led a tequila toast to the resilience of Los Angeles in the wake of the wildfires that devastated the city.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Knicks blew a 19-point lead, and Philadelphia stormed back to take a 97-96 advantage with 3:59 left in the fourth quarter.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Courtenay Brown Feb 14, 2025 - Economy Trump trade plan intensifies The Trump trade war has blown past the realm of tariffs.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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