feel shattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel shattered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a state of emotional or physical exhaustion, often after a stressful or overwhelming experience. Example: "After the long week of work and personal challenges, I just feel shattered and need some time to recover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Now that it has, I feel shattered.

The Guardian - Sport

"You feel shattered, as if you ran a marathon".

The New York Times

"I always feel shattered at the end," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Busking is really time-consuming and it feels chaotic," he said, adding, "You have days where you feel shattered".

The New York Times - Arts

When at the end of a long day we feel shattered, "in pieces," there's nothing more literally true.

The New Yorker

It means I feel permanently exhausted - I can sleep for 12 hours a night and still feel shattered the next day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"The house was a big piece of my heart and it felt shattered," said Brandon, who remembered feeling embarrassed about his family's situation.

The New York Times

The problem is she takes on too much and now feels shattered.

Independent

They felt shattered about the claims she'd made in her life assessment – and confused.

The Guardian

She confessed that she felt shattered by the pointlessness of it all.

The New York Times

[C6.] Ex-Parmalat Official Upset The former head of Parmalat's operations in Venezuela, Giovanni Bonici, said that he felt shattered by the scandal at the company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional distress, consider "feel shattered" to convey a sense of brokenness or devastation, especially after a significant loss or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "feel shattered" in situations where simple tiredness would suffice. Reserve this phrase for moments of significant emotional or physical depletion to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel shattered" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of being. It conveys a subjective emotional or physical condition, indicating a sense of brokenness or extreme exhaustion. This is supported by examples found by Ludwig, showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

30%

Arts

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel shattered" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a state of profound exhaustion or emotional devastation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Arts contexts, suggesting its use in personal narratives and emotional expressions. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's important to reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant such strong emotional language, as overusing it may diminish its impact. Alternatives like "feel devastated" or "feel broken" can be considered based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel devastated

Emphasizes a stronger emotional impact, suggesting overwhelming sadness and loss.

feel crushed

Focuses on the sense of being overwhelmed and defeated by circumstances.

feel broken

Implies a sense of irreparable damage or loss of wholeness.

feel destroyed

Conveys a sense of utter ruin or obliteration, emotionally or physically.

feel exhausted

Highlights extreme tiredness and depletion of energy, both physical and mental.

feel depleted

Suggests a significant reduction in physical or emotional resources.

feel drained

Indicates a loss of energy and vitality, leaving one feeling empty.

feel undone

Implies a state of being emotionally or mentally unravelled.

feel overwhelmed

Focuses on the experience of being overloaded with emotions or tasks.

feel undone

Implies a sense of emotional unraveling or being deeply affected.

FAQs

What does it mean to "feel shattered"?

To "feel shattered" means to experience a state of extreme emotional or physical exhaustion, often accompanied by a sense of brokenness or devastation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "feel shattered"?

It's appropriate to use "feel shattered" when describing significant emotional distress, intense disappointment, or extreme physical exhaustion that leaves you feeling broken or depleted.

What can I say instead of "feel shattered"?

You can use alternatives like "feel devastated", "feel crushed", or "feel broken" depending on the intensity of the feeling.

Is "feel shattered" a formal or informal expression?

"Feel shattered" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in personal or narrative writing than in strictly professional communication.