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
Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Here’s what to do when faced with the shatter heard around the world.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025
Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
The front door was shattered, and there was a large rock on the bar’s floor.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Verb
The family heard plates and glasses shatter — and then boots stomping up the stairs.
—Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Here’s what to do when faced with the shatter heard around the world.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
Entire families have been shattered in an instant, and the echoes of their loss resonate deeply.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
The front door was shattered, and there was a large rock on the bar’s floor.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shatter
Verb
-
In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
Trump also is destroying the Games’ potential upside.—
Joe Mathews,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Kidd, Castagnoli and Yuta took out Ospreay and then smashed his head in between a chair.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
With a runner aboard and two outs, Josh Naylor smashed a 105-mph line drive off Kikuchi’s left shoulder, the ball caroming into center field for a single.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Noun
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During this period, Hamas emerged as a powerful splinter of the Muslim Brotherhood movement with the aim of destroying Israel and establishing an Islamist Palestinian state.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
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Indeed, the newly fragmented world that Trump is creating could very well splinter climate standards and clean technology supply chains.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Some adults agreed, but others made comments about me ruining the mood.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
20 July 2025
-
Nothing ruins the vibe of a beautiful backyard faster than dull, discolored patio furniture that’s more of an eyesore than an inviting lounge spot.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
The kids division, ages 5 to 11, was tasked with demolishing a singular slice, or one-fourth, of an entire pie.—
Olivia Cyrus
July 23,
Sacbee.com,
24 July 2025
-
That includes plans to demolish the building this summer.—
Tom Daykin,
jsonline.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Scattered throughout were formidable shards of dark chocolate that pleasantly contrasted the creamy base and balanced mint flavor.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 July 2025
-
The creator started digging as a teen, when a best friend from school would bring in Throbbing Gristle CDs, which inspired them to hunt for obscure sonic shards to offer in return.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Today, disaster seekers pack tours through New Orleans neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina two decades ago, and visitors continue to flock to Galveston to see the legacy of a hurricane that killed thousands more than a century earlier.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers
July 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 July 2025
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Not only has its air defense infrastructure suffered badly in the confrontations with Israel, but its regional proxies and allies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria – have either been devastated by Israel or collapsed altogether.—
Linggong Kong,
The Conversation,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Kaus was setting up the umbrella when a gust of wind blew her off a lifeguard stand, dropping her on the point end of the 1-inch metal pole, NJ.com reported.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 July 2025
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In the marquee Challenger matchup of the weekend, a rematch of the Mid-Season final, Las Vegas blew the doors off of Nashville.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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