
Smithereens
Intensity of Destruction
Smithereens implies something was destroyed very thoroughly, often violently.

The fireworks warehouse exploded, reducing it to smithereens.
Emphasis on Smallness
Refers to pieces so small that they may be too numerous to count easily.

He dropped the ornament, and it broke into smithereens on the floor.
Usually Negative
Often used to describe unfortunate events, rarely positive ones.

A rock hit the window, and it went to smithereens.
Compare with
BitDebrisFragmentParticlePieceShatterSplinterWreckage
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