Shatter

To break or cause to break suddenly and violently into pieces; to destroy or severely damage something. Figuratively, it can also mean to severely damage or destroy someone's emotions, confidence, or beliefs. It implies a complete and often irreparable fragmentation, both physically and metaphorically. The action suggests a forceful impact or a process of disintegration, resulting in a scattering of components or elements. It can refer to breaking the unity of something, whether an object or an idea. The result of shattering is almost always a loss of integrity or functionality.

Shatter meaning with examples

• The earthquake's powerful tremors caused the ornate glass chandelier to shatter, sending shards of crystal raining down onto the floor. The sound of the glass shattering echoed throughout the opulent ballroom, signaling the end of the gala and the start of frantic clean up.
• His world shattered when he learned of his wife’s betrayal. The news had fractured his trust, leaving him feeling emotionally exposed and vulnerable. He was now trying to pick up the pieces of his life and work to rebuild his once stable marriage.
• The political scandal threatened to shatter the public's confidence in the government. With each new revelation of corruption, the trust between the citizens and the governing body began to fracture. Many felt the situation would lead to drastic changes.
• The impact of the explosion caused the concrete barriers to shatter into thousands of pieces. The intense force disintegrated the material in a matter of seconds, creating debris. The remaining rubble signaled the magnitude of the catastrophe.