Synonyms for Broken: 50 Useful Alternatives [2026]

Have you ever been in a situation where something stopped working at the worst possible moment? A student rushing to submit an assignment, a driver dealing with a car that won’t start, or a homeowner discovering a cracked window after a storm, all of these moments can be described using different synonyms for broken. While broken is a common word, it isn’t always the most accurate or expressive choice. Depending on the situation, words like damaged, faulty, shattered, fractured, or malfunctioning may convey the meaning more effectively.

Learning synonyms for broken can make your writing more interesting and precise. Instead of using the same word again and again, you can choose alternatives that match the exact situation. Some words describe something physically damaged, while others describe something that no longer works properly.

For example, if your phone screen has a large crack, you might call it cracked instead of broken. If a toy falls apart into many pieces, shattered may be a better choice.

Understanding synonyms for broken is useful for students, bloggers, content writers, and anyone who wants to improve their English. These words help you write better stories, create stronger articles, and communicate more clearly in everyday life.

In this guide, you will learn many helpful synonyms for broken, their meanings, and simple examples that are easy to understand and use.

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✦ Top 5 Synonyms for Broken ✦

• Damaged
• Cracked
• Shattered
• Split
• Fractured

✦ Next 5 Synonyms for Broken ✦

• Destroyed
• Ruined
• Defective
• Faulty
• Busted

Pronunciation of “Broken”

Phonetic Spelling: BROH-kuhn

IPA Format: /ˈbroʊ.kən/

Simple Breakdown: broh + kuhn

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Syllables of “Broken”

Broken = 2 syllables

Breakdown: bro • ken

The word is divided into two simple parts that are easy to pronounce.

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List of 50 Synonyms for Broken

Damaged

Meaning

Something is harmed and not in perfect condition.

Examples

1. The rain damaged my bike.
2. The package arrived damaged.

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Cracked

Meaning

Something has a line or split on its surface.

Examples

1. The mirror is cracked now.
2. I noticed a cracked window.

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Shattered

Meaning

Something is broken into many small pieces.

Examples

1. The glass shattered on the floor.
2. Her vase shattered after it fell.

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Split

Meaning

Something is divided into two or more parts.

Examples

1. The wood split down the middle.
2. My old bag split at the side.

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Fractured

Meaning

Something has a break or crack in it.

Examples

1. The branch fractured during the storm.
2. The wall fractured near the corner.

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Destroyed

Meaning

Something is completely ruined.

Examples

1. The fire destroyed the shed.
2. The storm destroyed many trees.

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Ruined

Meaning

Something is badly damaged and no longer useful.

Examples

1. The flood ruined my books.
2. The muddy water ruined her shoes.

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Defective

Meaning

Something has a problem from the start.

Examples

1. The defective toy stopped working.
2. We returned the defective item.

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Faulty

Meaning

Something does not work correctly.

Examples

1. The faulty light kept flickering.
2. A faulty wire caused the issue.

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Busted

Meaning

Something is broken or damaged.

Examples

1. Busted watch.
2. The old chair looks busted.

Wrecked

Meaning

Something is badly damaged.

Examples

1. The car was wrecked in the accident.
2. The old fence looked wrecked.

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Smashed

Meaning

Something is broken by a strong hit.

Examples

1. The ball smashed the window.
2. He accidentally smashed the plate.

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Impaired

Meaning

Something does not work as well as it should.

Examples

1. The fall cause impaired in the mobile.
2. The damaged speaker had impaired sound.

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Inoperative

Meaning

Something is not working.

Examples

1. The elevator is inoperative today.
2. The machine became inoperative overnight.

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Collapsed

Meaning

Something has fallen down or caved in.

Examples

1. The old roof collapsed during the storm.
2. The sandcastle collapsed near the water.

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Torn

Meaning

Something has a rip or tear.

Examples

1. My jacket sleeve is torn.
2. The torn paper was hard to read.

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Fragmented

Meaning

Something is broken into small parts.

Examples

1. The statue was fragmented over time.
2. The fragmented pieces covered the table.

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Dented

Meaning

Something has a hollow mark from being hit.

Examples

1. The car door was dented.
2. The metal can looked dented.

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Bent

Meaning

Something is no longer straight.

Examples

1. The bent spoon would not sit flat.
2. The fence pole became bent.

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Worn

Meaning

Something is damaged from long use.

Examples

1. His shoes looked worn.
2. The worn carpet needed replacing.

Dilapidated

Meaning

Something is old and in poor condition.

Examples

1. The dilapidated house stood empty.
2. We walked past a dilapidated barn.

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Decrepit

Meaning

Something is worn out because of age.

Examples

1. The decrepit bridge needed repairs.
2. They removed the decrepit shed.

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Weak

Meaning

Something is not strong or sturdy.

Examples

1. The weak shelf could not hold the books.
2. The weak rope snapped easily.

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Crushed

Meaning

Something is pressed so hard that it loses its shape.

Examples

1. The box was crushed during shipping.
2. He threw away the crushed can.

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Scratched

Meaning

Something has marks on its surface.

Examples

1. The table was scratched by the keys.
2. My phone screen looks scratched.

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Chipped

Meaning

Something has a small piece missing.

Examples

1. The chipped cup is still usable.
2. I noticed a chipped tile in the kitchen.

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Disconnected

Meaning

Something is no longer joined or linked.

Examples

1. The cable became disconnected.
2. The disconnected speaker stopped playing music.

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Disabled

Meaning

Something has been turned off or made unable to work.

Examples

1. The disabled feature cannot be used.
2. The technician disabled the broken system.

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Unusable

Meaning

Something cannot be used properly.

Examples

1. The wet notebook became unusable.
2. The damaged keyboard was unusable.

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Malfunctioning

Meaning

Something is not operating correctly.

Examples

1. The malfunctioning printer stopped midway.
2. We replaced the malfunctioning fan.

Corrupted

Meaning

Something has become damaged or spoiled.

Examples

1. The corrupted file would not open.
2. We lost data from the corrupted document.

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Tattered

Meaning

Something is torn and worn out.

Examples

1. The tattered flag waved in the wind.
2. He carried a tattered notebook.

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Bruised

Meaning

Something has marks from being hit.

Examples

1. The apple looked bruised.
2. Her knee was bruised after the fall.

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Ripped

Meaning

Something has been torn apart.

Examples

1. My backpack pocket is ripped.
2. The ripped poster hung loosely.

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Snapped

Meaning

Something has broken suddenly.

Examples

1. The branch snapped in the storm.
2. The string snapped while I pulled it.

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Disjointed

Meaning

Something is not properly connected.

Examples

1. The broken toy looked disjointed.
2. The disjointed parts lay on the floor.

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Brittle

Meaning

Something breaks easily.

Examples

1. The old plastic became brittle.
2. The brittle twig cracked instantly.

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Withered

Meaning

Something has dried up and lost strength.

Examples

1. The withered plant needed water.
2. The flowers looked withered.

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Failing

Meaning

Something is losing the ability to work.

Examples

1. The failing battery died quickly.
2. We replaced the failing motor.

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Unsound

Meaning

Something is not strong or safe.

Examples

1. The bridge was considered unsound.
2. The wall looked unsound after the storm.

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Out of Order

Meaning

Something is not working properly.

Examples

1. The vending machine is out of order.
2. The elevator remained out of order.

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Compromised

Meaning

Something has been weakened or damaged.

Examples

1. The compromised system needed repairs.
2. The storm left the roof compromised.

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Damaging

Meaning

Causing harm or damage.

Examples

1. The chemicals were damaging the paint.
2. Excess heat can be damaging.

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Harmed

Meaning

Something damaged.

Examples

1. Frost harmed the plant.
2. Water harmed the furniture.

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Injured

Meaning

Something or someone has suffered damage.

Examples

1. The storm injured the birds.
2. Strong winds injured several trees.

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Shabby

Meaning

Something is old and in poor condition.

Examples

1. The shabby couch needed replacement.
2. He wore a shabby coat.

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Ragged

Meaning

Something has rough and torn edges.

Examples

1. The ragged cloth hung loosely.
2. The ragged curtain looked old.

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Dysfunctional

Meaning

Something does not work correctly.

Examples

1. The dysfunctional remote stopped responding.
2. They replaced the dysfunctional equipment.

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Incomplete

Meaning

Something is missing parts.

Examples

1. The puzzle was incomplete.
2. The report remained incomplete.

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Defunct

Meaning

Something no longer exists or works.

Examples

1. The defunct company closed years ago.
2. The defunct machine sits in storage.

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FAQ About Synonyms for Broken

What is the most common synonym for broken?

Damaged is one of the most common synonyms for broken because it can describe many situations involving harm or wear.

Are all synonyms for broken the same?

No. Some words describe physical damage, such as cracked and shattered, while others describe things that do not work, such as faulty and dysfunctional.

Why should I learn synonyms for broken?

Learning synonyms for broken helps improve your writing, speaking, vocabulary, and communication skills. It also prevents repeating the same word too often.

Which synonym means broken into many pieces?

Shattered is the best synonym when something is broken into many small pieces.

Can I use these synonyms in essays and blogs?

Yes. These synonyms can make essays, articles, blog posts, emails, and everyday conversations more interesting and professional.

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Conclusion

Finding the right synonyms for broken can help you communicate more clearly and add variety to your writing. Whether you are describing a damaged object, a disrupted process, a weakened relationship, or an emotional state, choosing the most suitable alternative can make your message more precise and impactful.

Words such as damaged, shattered, cracked, defective, ruined, fractured, and dysfunctional each carry slightly different meanings and work best in specific contexts. By understanding these nuances, you can improve both your vocabulary and your overall writing quality.

The next time you need a replacement for “broken,” refer to this list of synonyms for broken to find the perfect word that matches your intended meaning. Expanding your vocabulary not only enhances communication but also makes your content more engaging, professional, and SEO-friendly.

Practice these words regularly, try using them in sentences, and add them to your everyday vocabulary. The more you use them, the easier it becomes to communicate with accuracy and confidence.

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