to break suddenly into very small pieces, to damage or destroy something completely, to upset or shock someone greatly

shatter someone's dreams/hopes/illusions, shatter the silence, shatter the mold

Formal and Informal Expressions of shatter

In different contexts, you can replace 'shatter' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'break, damage, destroy' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'smash, wreck' is a commonplace synonym.

shatter: Explore its Definition & Usage

shatter Definition

1to break suddenly into very small pieces
2to damage or destroy something completely
3to upset or shock someone greatly

Using shatter: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shatter" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The vase fell and shattered into a million pieces.
Example
The explosion shattered the windows of nearby buildings.
Example
The news of his sudden death shattered her world.
Example
The defeat in the final match shattered their hopes of winning the championship.

shatter Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for shatter

Antonyms for shatter

Phrases with shatter

shatter someone's dreams/hopes/illusions
to destroy someone's hopes, dreams, or illusions
Example
The failure of his business venture shattered his dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
shatter the silence
to break a period of silence with a loud noise or sound
Example
The sound of the gunshot shattered the silence of the night.
shatter the mold
to do something in a completely new or different way, breaking with tradition or convention
Example
Her innovative approach to design shattered the mold of traditional fashion.

📌

Summary: shatter in Brief

The verb 'shatter' [ˈʃætər] means to break suddenly into very small pieces, damage or destroy something completely, or upset or shock someone greatly. It can refer to physical objects, as in 'The vase fell and shattered into a million pieces,' or emotional states, as in 'The news of his sudden death shattered her world.' The phrase 'shatter someone's dreams/hopes/illusions' means to destroy someone's hopes, dreams, or illusions.