Meaning of the word shatter in English

What does shatter mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

shatter

US /ˈʃæt̬.ɚ/

UK /ˈʃæt.ər/

break suddenly and violently into many pieces

Example:

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The glass vase fell and shattered on the floor.

•

The impact caused the car's windshield to shatter.

Synonym:

break smash splinter fragment fracture

destroy or severely damage (something abstract)

Example:

•

The news of his betrayal shattered her trust.

•

The economic crisis shattered the hopes of many small businesses.

Synonym:

destroy wreck ruin devastate demolish

a sudden breaking into many pieces

Example:

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The sound of the window's shatter echoed through the empty house.

•

We heard a loud shatter from the kitchen.

Synonym:

breakage smash fragmentation rupture