shatter
word
Definition
To break suddenly into many small pieces, especially with a loud noise. It can also mean to completely destroy something, like an idea or hope.
Usage & Nuances
"Shatter" is more dramatic than "break" and is used for glass, ceramics, or emotional states (e.g. "shatter someone’s dreams"). Often appears in passive: "The window was shattered." Not used for gradual breaking.
Spanish: hacer añicos - romper en pedazos - destrozarPortuguese (BR): estilhaçar - despedaçarPortuguese (PT): estilhaçar - despedaçarChinese (Simplified): 打碎 - 粉碎Chinese (Traditional): 打碎 - 粉碎Hindi: चकनाचूर करना - तोड़ डालनाArabic: يحطم - يكسر إلى قطعBengali: ভেঙে চুরমার হওয়া - বিপর্যস্ত করাRussian: разбиться вдребезги - разрушить (мечту, надежду)Japanese: 粉々になる - 打ち砕くVietnamese: vỡ tan tành - hủy hoại (hy vọng, niềm tin)Korean: 산산조각나다 - 산산이 부수다Turkish: paramparça olmak - tamamen yok etmekUrdu: چکناچور ہونا - مکمل طور پر تباہ کرناIndonesian: pecah berkeping-keping - menghancurkan (harapan, impian)
Example Sentences
The cup fell and shattered on the floor.
basic
The sound of glass shattering was very loud.
basic
He shattered the window with a baseball.
basic
The news completely shattered her confidence.
natural
After the accident, his dreams were shattered.
natural
Be careful with that plate—it'll shatter if you drop it.
natural