broken man
Crushed beyond recovery
A broken man has been defeated or crushed by circumstances—grief, failure, betrayal, or prolonged hardship.
The phrase suggests someone whose spirit, confidence, or will has been shattered: After the divorce and bankruptcy, he was a broken man.
It implies damage that may be permanent, distinguishing it from merely discouraged or temporarily defeated.
Overcome in contest
- crushedCompressed into fragments
- demoralizedStripped of confidence
- devastatedOverwhelmed by grief
- shatteredBroken into fragments
despairing · hollow · empty · numb · traumatized · grief-stricken · inconsolable · lost soul
Unable to repay debts
- insolventUnable to pay debts
- ruinedDamaged beyond recovery
- debtMoney owed another
- creditorsThose owed payment
foreclosure · default · bankruptcy · destitute · penniless · impoverished · wiped out · fallen from grace
defeated
Overcome in contest
- crushedCompressed into fragments
- demoralizedStripped of confidence
- devastatedOverwhelmed by grief
shattered · despairing · hollow · empty · numb · traumatized · grief-stricken · inconsolable · lost soul · haunted
bankrupt
Unable to repay debts
creditors · foreclosure · default · bankruptcy · destitute · penniless · impoverished · wiped out · fallen from grace · reduced circumstances