damaged goods
Imperfect items sold
Damaged goods are merchandise that has been harmed or impaired, reducing its value.
The phrase extends to people perceived as less desirable because of past experiences—trauma, failed relationships, or scandal: After the divorce, she felt like damaged goods.
This figurative use can be cruel, reducing a person's worth to their history.
Having faults or imperfections
- faultyHaving defects or errors
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- substandardBelow required quality
- blemishedHaving visible defects
recalled · returns · irregular · rejects · imperfect · nonfunctional · seconds · clearance
Damaged beyond function
- crackedHaving surface fractures
- shatteredBroken into fragments
- dentedHaving a surface depression
- scratchedMade shallow marks
torn · battered · smashed · fractured · chipped · crushed · scuffed · warped
One still alive after
- woundedHaving sustained harm
- scarredMarked by healed wounds
- brokenDamaged beyond function
- traumatizedEmotionally damaged by experience
abused · exploited · victimized · baggage · past · healing · recovery · therapy
Oxidized and discolored
- disgracedBrought into shame
- blacklistedFormally excluded or barred
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
- shunnedPersistently avoided socially
outcast · reputation · fallen · compromised · untouchable · marked · pariah · canceled
No longer in effect
- rottenDecomposed or corrupt
- perishedCeased living violently
- contaminatedMade impure by contact
- taintedContaminated, made impure
moldy · stale · sour · curdled · wilted · overripe · bruised · discolored
Reduced in price
- marked-downLowered in price
- reducedMade less in amount
- depreciatedDecreased in monetary value
- secondhandHaving had prior ownership
cheapened · salvage · liquidated · remaindered · overstock · scratch-and-dent · fire-sale · wholesale
flawed
Having faults or imperfections
- faultyHaving defects or errors
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- substandardBelow required quality
blemished · recalled · returns · irregular · rejects · imperfect · nonfunctional · seconds · clearance · as-is
broken
Damaged beyond function
scratched · torn · battered · smashed · fractured · chipped · crushed · scuffed · warped · mangled
survivor
One still alive after
traumatized · abused · exploited · victimized · baggage · past · healing · recovery · therapy · guarded
tarnished
Oxidized and discolored
- disgracedBrought into shame
- blacklistedFormally excluded or barred
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
shunned · outcast · reputation · fallen · compromised · untouchable · marked · pariah · canceled · disreputable
expired
No longer in effect
- rottenDecomposed or corrupt
- perishedCeased living violently
- contaminatedMade impure by contact
tainted · moldy · stale · sour · curdled · wilted · overripe · bruised · discolored · off
discounted
Reduced in price
- marked-downLowered in price
- reducedMade less in amount
- depreciatedDecreased in monetary value
secondhand · cheapened · salvage · liquidated · remaindered · overstock · scratch-and-dent · fire-sale · wholesale · closeout
- consumer hassleshidden fees, long lines, out of stock, late delivery, overcharging
- consumer problemsdefective product, billing error, wrong item, hidden fees, hidden fee
- postal problemslost mail, undeliverable mail, mail tampering, mail theft
- Imperfect goodsseconds, irregulars, factory seconds, culls, rejects
- Customer complaintshold times, wrong order, overcharges, lost package, late delivery
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
damaged goodsmint condition
Perfect, unused state
pristine · intact · undamaged · flawless · unblemished
damaged goodsgood catch
eligible bachelor · golden boy · golden girl · clean slate · untarnished
damage, goods, damaged, damaging, damages, damageable, undamageable