Word: shattered

Associations

"Shattered" often means broken into many small pieces or it can also describe a state of emotional distress. It captures both physical destruction and deep feelings of sadness or exhaustion.

• Example 1: "The vase fell and shattered on the floor." (Here, "shattered" describes the physical breaking of the vase into pieces.)
• Example 2: "After the news, she felt completely shattered." (In this case, "shattered" refers to her emotional state, indicating great sadness.)
• Example 3: "He was shattered by the loss of his job." (Here, "shattered" shows how he felt crushed or deeply affected by the event.)

A well-known synonym is "broken." The main difference is that "broken" focuses mainly on the physical aspect, while "shattered" often implies a more violent break or a deep emotional impact.

Substitution

You could use "broken," "destroyed," or "smashed" depending on the context:

• "The vase is broken" describes the physical state but lacks the intensity of "shattered."
• "The walls were destroyed" can imply a complete loss, though it doesn’t capture the emotional aspect.
• "Smashed" suggests a more forceful action than "shattered," which can be both violent and emotional.

Deconstruction

The word "shattered" comes from the root "shatter." "Shatter" means to break suddenly and violently into many pieces. The suffix "-ed" implies a completed action, so "shattered" describes the state resulting from this action. Historically, the word "shatter" has connections to Old English "sceotan," meaning to shoot or throw, which contrasts with its current meaning of breaking.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt "shattered" emotionally? What caused that feeling?
• When you think of the word "shattered," does it bring to mind any specific objects or experiences in your life?
• How might the context change if you use a synonym like "broken" instead of "shattered"?