“Broken” describes something damaged, split, stopped working, or no longer whole. The best synonym depends on the type of damage or situation.

Broken is a common word we use when something does not work, has been damaged, or is no longer whole. Imagine dropping your phone and seeing a cracked screen. You might say, “My phone is broken.” If a chair loses a leg, it is also broken. The same word can describe a damaged object, a failed system, or even a hurt heart.

Because broken has so many meanings, using the same word again and again can make your writing feel dull. Learning synonyms for broken gives you more ways to describe damage, failure, sadness, and change. This is useful for English learners, students, bloggers, and content writers.

In this guide, you will learn the meaning of broken, its history, pronunciation, grammar, and 30 useful synonyms. You will also see simple examples and semantic groups. By the end, you will know which word fits a physical object, a relationship, a system, or an emotional situation.

Meaning of Broken

Definition

Broken (Adjective / Past participle of “break”):
Broken means damaged, split, not working, separated, interrupted, or no longer in its original condition.

The exact meaning depends on context.

For example, a broken glass is physically damaged, while a broken promise means a promise was not kept.

Examples

• My old bicycle is broken, so I cannot ride it.
• She felt broken after losing someone she loved.

Connotative Meaning

Connotation means the feeling or idea that a word suggests beyond its basic meaning.

• Positive tone: Broken can sometimes suggest something that has been repaired, changed, or rebuilt in a stronger way.
• Negative tone: It often suggests damage, failure, sadness, loss, or weakness.
• Neutral tone: It can simply describe an object or system that is no longer functioning properly.

The tone depends strongly on the sentence.

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Etymology

The word broken comes from the verb break, which has a very old history in English.

• Old English (450–1100): The verb appeared as brecan, meaning to break, split, or shatter.
• Middle English (1100–1500): The form developed into Middle English forms such as breken and broken.
• Modern English (1500–Present): Broken became the established past participle of break. Its meaning expanded beyond physical damage to include promises, rules, relationships, systems, hearts, and other abstract ideas.

Today, broken is one of the most flexible words for describing damage or failure.

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Pronunciation (IPA)

• IPA: /ˈbroʊkən/
• Syllables: bro-ken

The first syllable carries the main stress.

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Affixation Pattern of Broken

• Root: break
• Prefix: None
• Suffix: -en in the historical/grammatical form broken
• Word formations:
  • break — verb
  • breaks — verb
  • breaking — verb/noun
  • broke — past-tense verb
  • broken — past participle/adjective
  • breakable — adjective
  • breakage — noun
  • breakup — noun
  • breakdown — noun
  • breakthrough — noun

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30 Synonyms for Broken With Meaning & Examples

1. Damaged (Adjective)

Meaning: Harmed so that something is not in its original or proper condition.

Examples:

• The package arrived damaged.
• The storm left several houses damaged.

2. Shattered (Adjective)

Meaning: Broken into many small pieces.

Examples:

• The window was shattered by the ball.
• She found a shattered glass on the floor.

3. Cracked (Adjective)

Meaning: Having a narrow split or line caused by damage.

Examples:

• My phone screen is cracked.
• The old wall has a cracked surface.

4. Smashed (Adjective)

Meaning: Broken badly or violently into pieces.

Examples:

• Someone left a smashed bottle outside.
• The vase was smashed when it fell.

5. Fractured (Adjective)

Meaning: Broken or cracked into parts, especially in a formal or medical context.

Examples:

• The doctor said his arm was fractured.
• The pressure caused the material to become fractured.

6. Ruined (Adjective)

Meaning: Damaged so badly that something cannot be used or enjoyed properly.

Examples:

• The rain ruined my shoes.
• The flood left the building ruined.

7. Wrecked (Adjective)

Meaning: Severely damaged or destroyed.

Examples:

• His car was wrecked in the accident.
• The storm wrecked several boats.

8. Destroyed (Adjective)

Meaning: Completely damaged so that something no longer exists or works.

Examples:

• The fire destroyed the building.
• The old machine was completely destroyed.

9. Busted (Adjective)

Meaning: Damaged or not working, usually in informal English.

Examples:

• My old laptop is busted.
• The television is busted again.

10. Defective (Adjective)

Meaning: Having a fault that prevents something from working correctly.

Examples:

• The company replaced the defective product.
• The machine had a defective part.

11. Faulty (Adjective)

Meaning: Not working correctly because of a fault.

Examples:

• The electrician found a faulty wire.
• We returned the faulty device.

12. Impaired (Adjective)

Meaning: Weakened or reduced in quality, ability, or function.

Examples:

• The accident left the machine impaired.
• The system has impaired performance.

13. Ruptured (Adjective)

Meaning: Split or torn open suddenly.

Examples:

• The pipe was ruptured by the pressure.
• A ruptured hose caused the leak.

14. Split (Adjective)

Meaning: Divided or separated into two or more parts.

Examples:

• The wooden board was split down the middle.
• The branch was split after the storm.

15. Torn (Adjective)

Meaning: Damaged by pulling or ripping.

Examples:

• He wore a torn shirt.
• The page was torn from the book.

16. Ruptured (Adjective)

Meaning: Broken open or torn apart because of pressure or force.

Examples:

• The old pipe had ruptured.
• The balloon was ruptured by a sharp object.

17. Disconnected (Adjective)

Meaning: No longer joined, linked, or connected.

Examples:

• The internet was disconnected.
• A disconnected cable caused the problem.

18. Collapsed (Adjective)

Meaning: Fallen down or stopped functioning because of structural failure.

Examples:

• The roof collapsed during the storm.
• The old bridge had collapsed.

19. Nonfunctional (Adjective)

Meaning: Not able to work or perform its intended function.

Examples:

• The control panel is nonfunctional.
• Several computers became nonfunctional after the power surge.

20. Inoperative (Adjective)

Meaning: Not working or operating.

Examples:

• The elevator is inoperative today.
• The machine remained inoperative after the failure.

21. Defunct (Adjective)

Meaning: No longer operating or existing.

Examples:

• The company is now defunct.
• The old service became defunct several years ago.

22. Failed (Adjective)

Meaning: Not successful or no longer working as intended.

Examples:

• The experiment was a failed attempt.
• The failed system needs to be replaced.

23. Weakened (Adjective)

Meaning: Made less strong or effective.

Examples:

• The storm weakened the structure.
• Years of use left the material weakened.

24. Damaged Beyond Repair (Phrase)

Meaning: So badly damaged that it cannot be fixed.

Examples:

• The old computer was damaged beyond repair.
• The vehicle was damaged beyond repair after the crash.

25. Mutilated (Adjective)

Meaning: Severely damaged or disfigured.

Examples:

• The statue was badly mutilated.
• The document was mutilated during the accident.

26. Battered (Adjective)

Meaning: Damaged or worn after repeated hits or hard use.

Examples:

• He carried a battered old suitcase.
• The boat looked battered after the storm.

27. Worn (Adjective)

Meaning: Damaged or weakened by long use.

Examples:

• The carpet is badly worn.
• She replaced the worn shoes.

28. Disrupted (Adjective)

Meaning: Interrupted so that normal activity cannot continue.

Examples:

• The service was disrupted by heavy rain.
• Flights were disrupted by the storm.

29. Compromised (Adjective)

Meaning: Weakened, damaged, or made less secure or reliable.

Examples:

• The security system was compromised.
• The structure was compromised by water damage.

30. Heartbroken (Adjective)

Meaning: Extremely sad because of loss, especially the end of a relationship or the loss of someone important.

Examples:

• She was heartbroken after the breakup.
• He felt heartbroken when his friend moved away.

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Prototype Meaning

The most typical meaning of broken is something that has been damaged and no longer works or remains whole.

When people hear the word, they may imagine a cracked phone, a smashed glass, a damaged chair, or a machine that has stopped working. However, the word can also describe emotional pain, failed promises, interrupted systems, and damaged relationships.

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Prototype Categorization

The 30 synonyms above cover several different meanings of broken. This grouping helps you select a word that matches your exact situation.

• Physical damage:damaged, cracked, shattered, smashed, fractured, split, torn, ruptured
  • Use these words when an object has physical damage.
• Severe destruction:ruined, wrecked, destroyed, battered, mutilated
  • These words suggest serious physical damage.
• Mechanical or technical failure:busted, defective, faulty, impaired, nonfunctional, inoperative, defunct
  • These are useful for machines, devices, systems, and services.
• Structural failure:collapsed, weakened, compromised
  • Use these when something loses strength or stability.
• Interruption or separation:disconnected, disrupted
  • These words work well for networks, services, communication, and activities.
• Failure or lack of success:failed
  • Use this for plans, attempts, experiments, systems, or projects that do not succeed.
• Long-term wear:worn
  • This is useful when something becomes damaged through repeated use.
• Emotional damage:heartbroken
  • Use this for deep emotional pain, especially after loss or separation.

Choosing a synonym from the right group makes your writing more precise. Instead of saying that everything is simply broken, you can show how it is broken.

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Antonyms of Broken

1. Whole (Adjective)

Meaning: Complete and not divided or damaged.

2. Intact (Adjective)

Meaning: Not damaged or changed.

3. Fixed (Adjective)

Meaning: Repaired and working again.

4. Working (Adjective)

Meaning: Operating correctly.

5. Functional (Adjective)

Meaning: Able to perform its intended purpose.

6. Repaired (Adjective)

Meaning: Restored after being damaged.

7. Strong (Adjective)

Meaning: Having enough strength to resist damage or pressure.

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Short Questions and Answers

What does broken mean?

Broken means damaged, split, separated, interrupted, or no longer working properly. It can describe both physical objects and abstract ideas.

When should broken be used?

Use broken when something is damaged, no longer works, or has failed. It can also describe things such as promises, rules, relationships, or hearts.

Is broken positive or negative?

Broken usually has a negative meaning because it suggests damage or failure. However, its emotional effect depends on context.

How is broken different from similar words?

Each synonym shows a slightly different type or level of damage. Cracked suggests a narrow split, shattered suggests many pieces, faulty suggests a technical problem, and heartbroken describes deep sadness.

What is the best synonym for broken?

There is no single best synonym. Damaged works well for general physical harm, while faulty, cracked, shattered, ruined, or heartbroken may be more precise in specific situations.

Can broken describe feelings?

Yes. Broken can describe severe emotional pain. For example, “He felt broken after the loss.”

Can broken describe a promise?

Yes. We commonly say “break a promise” or “a broken promise.” Here, broken means the promise was not kept.

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Conclusion

Learning synonyms for broken gives you more control over your English. The word broken is useful, but it can mean many things. A phone may be damaged or cracked. A glass may be shattered. A machine may be faulty or inoperative. A building may be ruined or collapsed. A person may feel heartbroken.

These small differences make your writing clearer and more natural. They also help you avoid repeating broken in every sentence.

For English learners and content writers, the best approach is simple: learn the meaning first, then choose a synonym that matches the exact situation. Try using one new word each day in a sentence. With regular practice, your vocabulary will grow, your writing will become more precise, and your confidence will improve.

Save this list and return to it whenever you need a better word for “broken.”

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