shatter

1 of 2

verb

shat·​ter ˈsha-tər How to pronounce shatter (audio)
shattered; shattering; shatters
Synonyms of shatternext

transitive verb

1
: to cause to drop or be dispersed
2
a
: to break at once into pieces
b
: to damage badly : ruin
3
: to cause the disruption or annihilation of : demolish

intransitive verb

1
: to break apart : disintegrate
2
: to drop off parts (such as leaves, petals, or fruit)
shatteringly
ˈsha-tə-riŋ-lē How to pronounce shatter (audio)
adverb

shatter

2 of 2

noun

1
: fragment, shred
—usually used in plural
the broken vase lay in shatters
2
: an act of shattering : the state of being shattered
3
: a result of shattering : shower

Synonyms of shatter

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Verb

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Examples of shatter in a Sentence

Verb The rock shattered the window. His dreams were shattered by their rejection. The end of his marriage shattered him emotionally.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Risk Measured In Comms-Driven Trust Trust-shattering events are the ultimate risk because credibility and authority determine brand and business performance. — Shannon Reedy, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 SpaceX captivated Wall Street earlier this summer with a blockbuster IPO that shattered records and racked up underwriting fees for the banks involved. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
Even a wet suit won’t help; neoprene shatters at such low temperatures. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026 To serve the actual snacks, having a small set of shatter-proof, dishwasher-safe bowls is a must. — Melissa Knific, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shatter

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English schateren — more at scatter

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shatter was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing shatter

Rhymes for shatter

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Browse Nearby Words

Shatt al Arab
shatter
shatterable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shatter. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shatter

verb
shat·​ter
ˈshat-ər
1
: to break or fall to pieces
the window shattered
2
: to damage badly : ruin, wreck
the bad news will shatter their morale

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Nglish: Translation of shatter for Spanish Speakers

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