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
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
Grow a Garden, created by a 16-year-old in a few days, has shattered records for the most concurrent players of any game in history, beating out video games that take years and millions of dollars to develop. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 July 2025 During her 107-day campaign in 2024, Harris raised more than $1 billion and shattered fundraising records. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 31 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
  • Initially used for reconnaissance, drones now execute precision strikes, destroy armored vehicles, and provide real-time battlefield intelligence.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Abraham Toro led off the fifth with a single against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson, Anthony drew a walk and Alex Bregman smashed a three-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 3-2.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 July 2025
  • What no one knew at the time was the right engine of the plane had smashed into the elevator shaft, crashing down and severing cables on its way.
    Susan Young, People.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • The butterfly-open design gives quick access to tweezers for bee stings or wooden splinters, and sharp scissors for clipping trail tape or loose threads—all while staying impressively lightweight.
    Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2025
  • Communities that ignore the first crack pay dearly when the whole block splinters.
    Edgar Domenech, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Freezing her eggs was a priority because chemotherapy could ruin her chances of fertility and natural birth.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 31 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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • 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
  • In other words, keep up or watch your competition blow past you.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Bednar allowed a solo homer, a double, and a pair of singles to blow the lead for the Yankees.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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