broken
In need of repair
Broken describes something that has been damaged, separated into pieces, or no longer functions: a broken window, a broken leg, a broken phone.
The word extends to non-physical damage—a broken promise has been violated, a broken home split by divorce or conflict.
Someone who is broken has been emotionally devastated or defeated: He was a broken man after the scandal.
Broken speech or English is halting or imperfect.
A broken record repeats endlessly.
Broken into fragments
- crackedHaving surface fractures
- fracturedSplit or splintered
- smashedBroken or intoxicated
- splinteredBroken into sharp slivers
destroyed · ruined · wrecked · mangled · battered · dented · torn · crushed
Overwhelmed by grief
- shatteredBroken into fragments
- crushedCompressed into fragments
- grief-strickenOverwhelmed by profound loss
- anguishedSeverely emotionally distressed
bereft · despairing · inconsolable · wounded · hurt · betrayed · jilted · rejected
Broke a rule
- breachedBroke past a barrier
- infringedBroke a rule
- transgressedBroke a rule
- disregardedNot given consideration
ignored · flouted · law · rule · code · regulation · treaty · promise
Not yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
- unfulfilledNot brought to completion
- half-donePartially completed, abandoned midway
lacking · missing · gap · promise · vow · contract · agreement · deal
Caused disorder in
- haltedCame to rest
- suspendedHalted or hanging temporarily
- discontinuedNo longer available
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
fitful · sporadic · fragmented · choppy · uneven · stuttering · patchy · erratic
Compressed into fragments
- beatenHaving lost a contest
- conqueredDefeated and took control
- vanquishedDefeated completely
- subduedReduced in intensity
overcome · demoralized · humiliated · overpowered · routed · trounced · spirit · will
shattered
Broken into fragments
splintered · destroyed · ruined · wrecked · mangled · battered · dented · torn · crushed · busted
devastated
Overwhelmed by grief
- shatteredBroken into fragments
- crushedCompressed into fragments
- grief-strickenOverwhelmed by profound loss
anguished · bereft · despairing · inconsolable · wounded · hurt · betrayed · jilted · rejected · abandoned
violated
Broke a rule
- breachedBroke past a barrier
- infringedBroke a rule
- transgressedBroke a rule
disregarded · ignored · flouted · law · rule · code · regulation · treaty · promise · trust
unfinished
Not yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
- unfulfilledNot brought to completion
half-done · lacking · missing · gap · promise · vow · contract · agreement · deal · treaty
disrupted
Caused disorder in
- haltedCame to rest
- suspendedHalted or hanging temporarily
- discontinuedNo longer available
intermittent · fitful · sporadic · fragmented · choppy · uneven · stuttering · patchy · erratic · irregular
crushed
Compressed into fragments
- beatenHaving lost a contest
- conqueredDefeated and took control
- vanquishedDefeated completely
subdued · overcome · demoralized · humiliated · overpowered · routed · trounced · spirit · will · resistance
fragments
Incomplete broken pieces
- shardsBroken fragments of brittle material
- piecesParts of something divided
- splintersThin sharp broken fragments
smithereens · debris · rubble · wreckage · remnants · bits · glass · porcelain · pottery · ceramic
uneven
Not smooth or balanced
irregular · rocky · treacherous · difficult · challenging · ground · trail · path · road · surface
- adjectivesbig, urgent, amazing, temporary, bold
- damageddamaged, wrecked, ruined, destroyed, battered
- griefgrief, mourning, bereavement, sorrow, grieving
- irregular verbsbegin, began, begun, choose, chose
- body part traitsbent, bony, bruised, calloused, crooked
- brokenbusted, out of order, not working, nonfunctional, damaged
brokenintact
Not damaged or altered
whole · unbroken · complete · undamaged · in one piece
brokenworking
In active function
functional · operational · fixed · functioning · repaired
brokencontinuous
Without pause or gap
uninterrupted · unbroken · flowing · connected · seamless
- broke upEnded a relationship
- broke downFailed mechanically or emotionally
- broken heartEmotional pain from loss
- broken upDivided into parts
- broken armCracked bone, shoulder-to-wrist
- broken downNo longer operational
broke, unbroken, heartbroken, broken down, broke off, brokenly, brokenness, unbroke, broken-down