Shatter/ˈʃætər/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Destruction Emphasize that 'shatter' indicates an immediate, almost explosive, breaking apart. The window shattered with a loud bang. Pro Tip 2/3Loud Impact Use 'shatter' when the action results in noise, unlike a silent crack. The dish shattered into pieces on the tile floor. Pro Tip 3/3Irreversible State Imply that the object cannot be put back together easily, if at all. The heirloom vase shattered, and its history was lost forever.