1
as in destroying
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 smashing
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 demolishing
to cause to break with violence and much noise
shattered the priceless vase in one clumsy fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shattering
But a drone had hit one of its salons, shattering a heating pipe and flooding the premises.
—
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
The new Wade is an endlessly wisecracking chatterbox, shattering the fourth wall with gleeful abandon.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026
McConnell served as the Senate Republican leader for a record-shattering 18 years — the longest- serving party leader of either party.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Even so, someone fired gunshots into the tomb, shattering part of the structure.
—Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
This set from the Good Grips collection is made of borosilicate glass, which is food-safe like standard glass, but also more resistant to heat—meaning it can be taken out of the freezer and popped straight into the microwave to reheat leftovers without shattering.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Both films feature an early phone call which is clearly shattering for their characters.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The sequence of Enoch among the heavenly hosts, violent, shattering with Blakeian geometry and color.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Gold and silver had a record-shattering 2025, with the price of gold surging 65% and silver rallying as much as 150%.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
The new Wade is an endlessly wisecracking chatterbox, shattering the fourth wall with gleeful abandon.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026
McConnell served as the Senate Republican leader for a record-shattering 18 years — the longest- serving party leader of either party.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Even so, someone fired gunshots into the tomb, shattering part of the structure.
—Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
This set from the Good Grips collection is made of borosilicate glass, which is food-safe like standard glass, but also more resistant to heat—meaning it can be taken out of the freezer and popped straight into the microwave to reheat leftovers without shattering.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Both films feature an early phone call which is clearly shattering for their characters.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The sequence of Enoch among the heavenly hosts, violent, shattering with Blakeian geometry and color.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Gold and silver had a record-shattering 2025, with the price of gold surging 65% and silver rallying as much as 150%.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shattering
Verb
-
But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But gold prices have been extraordinary volatile, smashing through record highs before posting their biggest single-day drop on record last month.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Travon Troupe, 39, of Hayward, allegedly drove drunk through a red light at Foothill Boulevard and 68th Avenue in Oakland, smashing into a big rig that had the right of way.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mist dissipates around a room instead of spewing out like a wet stream, which keeps Alpert worry-free about ruining her wooden bed frame.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, for some items, a standard cold wash can be ruining.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The project calls for demolishing a 1949 single-family home and building a 2,500-square-foot contemporary building to be used as a Jewish ritual pool for women for spiritual purification.—
Lauren Costantino
February 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
While an eight-game winning run saw Cherki, Foden and Haaland hit their devastating best, three frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were characterised by wastefulness in front of goal.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Small armies of residents still gather to observe federal officers from cars or on foot – honking horns and blowing whistles to alert neighbors.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
After blowing a 22-point lead in Friday’s loss to the Celtics in Boston, the Heat closed its quick two-game trip at 1-1.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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The wrecking contractor did a superb job of clearing the area.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ratner, of course, earned Hollywood over $2 billion with his blockbusters about gunfire and exploding cars.—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Waterfield opted to stay in California; Russell's career was exploding.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shattering. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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