shatter

4 definitions • 6 examples

to (cause something to) break suddenly into very small pieces:

The glass shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.

His leg was shattered in the accident.

to end or severely damage something:

The book shattered all her illusions about the Romans.

Noisy motorbikes shattered the peace/calm/stillness.

to break suddenly or cause something to break suddenly into small pieces:

[ T ] The earthquake shattered all the windows in the building.

fig.to end or damage:

[ T ] The defeat shattered her confidence.