What is shatter? Pronunciation and usage in English

shatter means . Learn how to pronounce and use shatter through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of shatter

shatterverb

/ˈʃætə(r)//ˈʃætər/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "shatter" in English. It's a word that trips people up! Here's a breakdown:

The Core Sound:

  • "sh" - This is a standard "sh" sound, like in "ship" or "she".
  • "at-ter" - This is where it gets a little tricky. It's not like the word "matter." It’s closer to the sound you’d make if you were trying to say "a-ter" quickly and forcefully.

Putting it Together:

  1. Start with the "sh" sound: /ʃ/ (Like "ship")
  2. Follow with the "at-ter" sound: /ɑːtər/ (The "a" is a short "a" sound - like in "father". The "t" is lightly tapped. The "r" is a quick, light trill, if you can manage it – don’t overdo it.)

Combined, it sounds like: /ʃɑːtər/

Here's a breakdown of the sounds with IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • ʃ – "sh" (as in "ship")
  • ɑː – a short "a" sound (as in "father") - this is important – don’t say the long “a” as in “late”
  • tər – "at-er" (the "t" is lightly tapped, the “r” is a quick trill)

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Don’t overemphasize the "t": It’s a quick tap, not a full, strong "t" sound.
  • The “r” is subtle: Really, it’s just a quick trill. If you struggle with the "r," don't worry about a perfect trill. A simple, light sound is okay.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google: Search "how to pronounce shatter" on Google and listen to the audio pronunciation.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/shatter/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce shatter" on YouTube to find videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What's your native language? (This helps me understand where challenges might come from.)

Usage and examples with the word shatter in English

Let's break down how to use the word "shatter" in English. It's a powerful word with a few different nuances, primarily relating to breaking something violently and/or causing a deep emotional impact.

1. Literal Meaning: To Break into Fragments

  • Definition: This is the most basic meaning – to break something forcefully into many small pieces.
  • Examples:
    • "The vase shattered when it fell to the floor." (Physical object)
    • "The ice shattered with the warmth of the sun." (Natural phenomenon)
    • "He shattered the window with a rock." (Action causing breakage)

2. Figurative Meaning: To Destroy Completely; To Demolish

  • Definition: “Shatter” often describes a more profound destruction – not just a physical break, but a complete dismantling of something, whether it’s confidence, hope, or an illusion.
  • Examples:
    • "His confidence shattered after the criticism." (Emotional impact)
    • "The news shattered her dreams." (Destruction of aspirations)
    • "The scandal shattered the company's reputation." (Damage to an image)
    • "The argument shattered their years of friendship." (Breaking of a relationship)

3. “Shatter” as a Verb + “Into” (Emphasizing the fragments)

  • Often, you'll see "shatter into" used to highlight the scattering of pieces.
  • Examples:
    • "The glass shattered into a thousand pieces." (emphasizes the many fragments)
    • "Her heart shattered into a million pieces." (emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of loss)

4. “Shatter” as a Verb + “Something” (Often Used to Describe a Process)

  • You can use “shatter” to describe the process of something breaking down.
  • Examples:
    • "The evidence began to shatter the suspect’s alibi." (The alibi was being broken down.)
    • “The old system began to shatter under the weight of new regulations." (The system was falling apart.)

Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Intensity: “Shatter” is a strong word. Don’t use it lightly. It implies a significant and potentially devastating effect. You'd typically use it for something impactful, not just a minor bump.

  • Emotional Weight: The figurative use of “shatter” is frequently associated with sadness, disappointment, or loss. It’s a word that evokes a feeling of profound upset.

  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you might consider synonyms like: break, destroy, demolish, devastate, ruin, annihilate, dismember.

Let's Practice!

Here are a few sentences for you to try:

  1. "The silence shattered the tension in the room." (Figurative - breaking an atmosphere)
  2. "He tried to shatter the ice with a single blow." (Literal)
  3. "The news of his promotion shattered her doubts about her abilities." (Figurative - destroying an insecurity)
  4. "The old building shattered into rubble after the earthquake." (Literal - breaking into fragments)

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Focus on a specific context (e.g., using "shatter" in creative writing)?
  • Help you understand how "shatter" is used in a particular sentence you're unsure about?

Synonyms for the word shatter

Practice with vocabulary shatter

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The unexpected economic downturn could ______ the fragile optimism surrounding the new market.
  2. Careless handling caused the delicate porcelain to ______ on the hard floor.
  3. The team's decision to pursue a new strategy was met ______ some resistance from veteran employees.
  4. After the technical glitch, it took the IT department hours to ______ the system's full functionality.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The sudden market crash was expected to ______ investor confidence across the board. a) bolster b) solidify c) shatter d) reinforce e) undermine

  2. If a valuable artifact accidentally falls from a height, it will most likely ______ upon impact. a) fracture b) chip c) shatter d) crumple e) dent

  3. The news of the massive data breach threatened to ______ the company's meticulously crafted public image. a) uphold b) preserve c) dismantle d) shatter e) devastate

  4. To effectively ______ a complex problem, one must first break it down into manageable components. a) resolve b) complicate c) dissect d) ignore e) analyze

  5. The company's long-term strategy aims to ______ sustainable growth while minimizing environmental impact. a) impede b) foster c) hinder d) cultivate e) suppress

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The sudden announcement of the factory closure completely demolished the workers' sense of job security. Rewrite:
  2. Original: The scientific discovery was so groundbreaking that it broke apart previous long-held theories about the universe. Rewrite:
  3. Original: Despite significant efforts, the team could not overcome the technical challenges hindering project completion. Rewrite:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. shatter
  2. shatter
  3. with
  4. restore

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) shatter, e) undermine
  2. a) fracture, c) shatter
  3. d) shatter, e) devastate
  4. a) resolve, c) dissect, e) analyze
  5. b) foster, d) cultivate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden announcement of the factory closure shattered the workers' sense of job security.
  2. The groundbreaking scientific discovery shattered long-held theories about the universe.
  3. Despite significant efforts, the team could not surmount the technical challenges hindering project completion.

Comment ()