shatter
Translation
to shatter, to break into pieces, to destroy (hopes, dreams)
Examples
The glass shattered on the floor.
The glass shattered on the floor.
He shattered the window with a stone.
He shattered the window with a stone.
The news shattered her hopes of winning.
The news shattered her hopes of winning.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to break suddenly into many small pieces The glass shattered on the floor.
((sth.)) to break (sth.) into many small pieces He shattered the window with a stone.
((sth.)) to destroy (sth. abstract like hopes) The news shattered her hopes of winning.
Similar Words
Synonyms: smash, break, crack; Antonyms: mend, repair
Etymology
From Middle English 'scateren', meaning 'to scatter'. Think of how the pieces scatter when something shatters.
Memory Tips
Imagine the sharp sound 'shatter!' as glass breaks into a thousand pieces.