English Dictionary
Definition of “shatter”
shatter (ˈʃætə
)
Definitions
verb
- to break or be broken into many small pieces
- (tr) to impair or destroy ⇒
his nerves were shattered by the torture
- (tr) to dumbfound or thoroughly upset ⇒
she was shattered by the news
- (tr) informal to cause to be tired out or exhausted
- an obsolete word for scatter
noun
- (usually plural) obsolete or dialect a fragment
Alternative Forms
ˈshatterer noun ˈshattering adjective ˈshatteringly adverb Word Origin
C12: perhaps obscurely related to scatter
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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smash,
break,
burst,
split,
crack,
crush,
explode,
demolish,
shiver,
implode,
pulverize,
crush to smithereens=
destroy,
ruin,
wreck,
blast,
disable,
overturn,
demolish,
impair,
blight,
torpedo,
bring to nought
Usage examples
Lais Mohammad swung his mallet blade at Hanuman's nose; no doubt he wanted to shatter his bones, to ruin his fine, delicate face.
Zindell, David, The Broken God (1993)Retreating from the plan now would shatter his self-esteem and public image.
Outlook India (2005)The blast was strong enough to shatter a glass skylight in a nearby building.
canada.com (2004)JUAN SANCHEZ leans forward and guides the ball into the net with his left arm to shatter Leeds ' European Cup dream.
Sun, News of the World (2001)Then, also, adversity can develop your character or shatter you.
Piers Dudgeon, THE WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE: The Life and Work of Barbara Taylor Bradford (2005)
