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Definitions

broken

[broh-kuhn] / ˈbroʊ kən /
ADJECTIVE
destroyed; made into pieces from a whole
Synonyms
STRONGEST
busted collapsed cracked crumbled crushed damaged defective demolished destroyed fractured fragmented injured mangled mutilated ruptured severed shattered smashed splintered
STRONG
burst disintegrated dismembered pulverized rent riven separated shivered shredded slivered split
WEAK
fragmentary in pieces
Antonyms
STRONGEST
repaired unbroken
STRONG
mended patched up restored
WEAK
complete fixed perfect whole
ADJECTIVE
discontinuous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
discontinuous
STRONG
disconnected disturbed interrupted
WEAK
erratic fragmentary incomplete intermittent irregular spasmodic spastic
Antonyms
WEAK
complete connected constant continuous fixed flowing steady unbroken unremitting whole
ADJECTIVE
mentally defeated
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beaten crushed
STRONG
browbeaten defeated demoralized depressed discouraged disheartened humbled oppressed overpowered subdued tamed vanquished
WEAK
heartsick
Antonyms
STRONG
encouraged resolute
WEAK
unbroken uplifted
ADJECTIVE
not working
Synonyms
STRONGEST
busted defective faulty ruined wrecked
STRONG
dead disabled down gone out shot spent wracked
WEAK
coming unstuck fallen apart feeble gone to pieces haywire imperfect in disrepair in need of repair in the shop inoperable inoperative kaput not functioning on the blink on the fritz out of commission out of kilter out of order out of whack run down screwed-up unsatisfactory weak
Antonyms
STRONGEST
perfect repaired
WEAK
fixed working
ADJECTIVE
forgotten, ignored (promise)
Synonyms
STRONG
abandoned dishonored disobeyed disregarded ignored infringed retracted traduced transgressed violated
Antonyms
WEAK
kept satisfied unbroken
ADJECTIVE
stuttering in speech
Synonyms
STRONGEST
discontinuous stuttering
STRONG
disjointed halting hesitating muttered stammering
WEAK
hesitant incoherent mumbled unintelligible weak
Antonyms
WEAK
continuous flowing fluent unbroken

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Political scientists have filled even more books with cases of governments that have broken down so much that they can’t make a decision to end a war, even if they wanted to.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

His legislative priorities, according to his district website, include strengthening the economy, fixing what he calls “our broken immigration system,” advocating for veterans and service members and coming up with solutions for California’s water issues.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

A broken link is also symbolically apt for what Baker has learned in a short England career to date.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

At this point, after having broken out to the upside a couple of weeks ago and added on to that breakout, it would be disappointing to see SPX fall below 7,000.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Sela and I sat together, the awkward silence broken only when three little kids ran by the table, chattering in a language that sounded like music.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith