shatter

/ˈʃætɚ/

Reviewed on

Type

Verb

Meaning

  1. To break suddenly and violently into many small pieces.

    • The dropped vase shattered on the tile floor.

    • Did the sudden impact shatter the windshield?

  2. To destroy or ruin completely, such as hopes, confidence, or illusions.

    • The unexpected test results shattered their hopes for an early discharge.

    • Nothing could shatter her unwavering confidence during the trial.

  3. To severely disrupt or damage the peace, quiet, or normal state of something.

    • A sudden scream shattered the quiet morning in the neighborhood.

    • The blast had completely shattered the peaceful silence of the valley.

How it's used

This means “break into pieces”

  • shatter the glass

“shattered it.”

The stray baseball shattered the bedroom window.

Collocations

  • shatter into pieces
  • shatter hopes
  • shatter dreams
  • shatter confidence
  • shatter illusions
  • shatter the silence

Synonyms

  • smash
  • splinter
  • crush
  • destroy
  • ruin
  • disrupt

Antonyms