English · Emotions & Feelings
shattered
/ˈʃæt.əd/
[/ˈʃæt.əd/]
broken, crushed
Intermediateadjective
Definition
Broken into many pieces, or emotionally crushed; in British English, also extremely tired.
Example
Her confidence was shattered after the public failure, and rebuilding it took many patient months.
Her confidence was shattered after the public failure, and rebuilding it took many patient months.
Etymology
Past participle of 'shatter', a Middle English word probably related to 'scatter', meaning to break suddenly into pieces.
How & Where It’s Used
Used for broken objects, crushed hopes, and (in Britain) for exhaustion.