smithereens

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'smithereens' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been completely destroyed, or broken into many pieces. For example, "The old building was reduced to smithereens by the explosion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During the second world war, as the East End was being blown to smithereens, there developed a strong belief that everyone was in it together.

The Guardian - Opinion

On June 7th the Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC), the biggest of several feuding independence movements, announced a "building ban" on sites of outstanding natural beauty: two weeks later, the villa of a retired Parisian financier near Bonifacio, on the island's southern tip, was carefully blown to smithereens by three hooded FLNC gunmen.

The Economist

In the Normandy campaign the Americans and British sought to minimise their casualties by bombing places to smithereens before their soldiers went in.

The Economist

The storm surge lifted many of the houses from their foundations, smashing them to smithereens and spreading debris across the surrounding wetlands.

The Economist

Upon infecting a host cell, the virus faces an existential choice: it could either peacefully integrate into the bacterium's genome, living in a sort of domestic partnership; or, it could become a self-serving homewrecker by churning out thousands of copies of itself before blowing the bacterium to smithereens.

The Economist

Most of Kagara, his dusty village in Nigeria's far north, was smashed to smithereens during this year's rainy season when an unexpected deluge burst a nearby dam.

The Economist

Its belated admission that earlier this month it destroyed one of its own satellites blowing it to smithereens by slamming a ballistic missile into it over 500 miles (800km) up in space is China's way of saying that it will cede control of space to no one.

The Economist

"DUKE Nukem Forever" is an uninspiring video game in which a wisecracking hero blasts aliens into smithereens.

The Economist

This came close to exploding and blowing the plutonium-fuelled reactor to smithereens.

The Economist

That spring the Isle of Pines had been sown with dynamite, linked up to the wiring system in the prison, so that any American attempt to rescue the prisoners would blow them to smithereens.

The Economist

His failure to do the job kicks off the fire-filled fight at the episode's end, in which he is struck by a stray bullet, his handler is butchered by the butcher, and the shop is blown to smithereens.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smithereens" to vividly describe an object or structure being violently broken into very small pieces.

Common error

While "smithereens" is widely understood, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "fragments" or "small pieces" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "smithereens" is a noun, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the resultant state after something has been violently broken apart, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "smithereens" is a common noun used to describe something violently broken into many small pieces. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media, and its usage communicates a sense of utter destruction. While generally appropriate for neutral contexts, it may be too informal for highly formal or technical writing. Alternatives include phrases like "tiny pieces" or "shattered remnants", depending on the specific nuance desired. As the numerous examples in Ludwig show, "smithereens" paints a vivid picture of something completely destroyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly destroyed

Focuses on the completeness of the destruction rather than the resulting pieces.

completely demolished

Implies a deliberate and thorough destruction, often associated with buildings or structures.

reduced to rubble

Implies a state of ruin and devastation, often used in the context of buildings or structures.

shattered remnants

Highlights the forceful breaking and the lasting traces of something destroyed.

splintered pieces

Suggests that something has been violently broken apart into sharp, uneven fragments.

torn to shreds

Suggests a violent ripping or tearing apart, leaving behind strips or fragments.

small fragments

Emphasizes the fragmented nature and diminutive scale of the remains.

tiny pieces

Focuses on the size of the resulting fragments rather than the act of destruction.

broken bits

Highlights the state of being broken, suitable for less intense scenarios.

pulverized remains

Indicates that something has been crushed or ground into a powder or fine particles.

FAQs

How can I use "smithereens" in a sentence?

Use "smithereens" to describe something that has been violently broken or shattered into many small pieces. For example, "The explosion blew the car to "smithereens"."

What does it mean when something is described as being in "smithereens"?

When something is in "smithereens", it means that it has been destroyed or broken into very small pieces. Similar expressions include "tiny pieces" or "small fragments".

Which is more appropriate, "fragments" or "smithereens"?

While both "fragments" and "smithereens" refer to broken pieces, "smithereens" implies a more forceful and complete destruction. "Fragments" is more neutral. Choose based on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What are some alternative words for "smithereens" that still convey the same idea of destruction?

Alternatives include "utterly destroyed", "completely demolished", or "reduced to rubble". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.