shatter

/ˈʃædər/

/ˈʃætə/

Other forms: shattered; shattering; shatters

When you shatter something, you smash it or break it into small bits. If your sister hits a baseball directly into the kitchen window, the window will shatter — and your sister will be in big trouble.

When you drop something fragile, it will probably shatter—lightbulbs, teacups, mirrors, and windows all shatter fairly easily. Things can also shatter in a less literal way, when it just feels like they're breaking apart violently. If your best friend ignores you all day, your heart shatters; and if you stumble and fall on your way up to a podium to give a speech, your confidence may shatter.

Definitions of shatter

1. verb

   break into many pieces
   “The wine glass shattered”

   type of:

   burst, bust

   break open or apart suddenly and forcefully
2. verb

   cause to break into many pieces
   “shatter the plate”

   type of:

   break

   destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments
3. verb

   damage or destroy
   “The news of her husband's death shattered her life”

   type of:

   damage

   inflict damage upon