smithereens

[ smith-uh-reenz ]

plural noun

1. small pieces; bits:

   broken into smithereens.

smithereens

/ ˌsmɪðəˈriːnz /

plural noun

1. little shattered pieces or fragments

Word History and Origins

Origin of smithereens¹

1820–30; dial. smithers (< ?) + Hiberno-English -een diminutive suffix (< Irish -ín )

Word History and Origins

Origin of smithereens¹

C19: from Irish Gaelic smidirīn, from smiodar

Example Sentences

We do, however, recognize something new and important, and we need to trust it, not blast it to smithereens, leaving us more shaken than stirred.

From Los Angeles Times

A party pulverised to smithereens after its years in coalition with the Conservatives is back and back big time - and they can’t quite believe it.

From BBC

“That was how Hollywood was able to dramatize the impact of the bomb and the fact that we had the power to blow ourselves to smithereens.”

From Los Angeles Times

For countries, the EU and Gulf States in particular, which have seen their previous investments - hospitals, schools and universities - blown to smithereens over the past three months, it is hardly a tempting prospect.

From BBC

The first, on April 20, also blew its Texas launchpad to smithereens and spread debris over nearby communities, possibly because Musk rushed its schedule.

From Los Angeles Times