The word "broken" has multiple meanings, and its synonyms can vary depending on the context.
1. When "broken" means something is physically damaged or in pieces
- Shattered: This word implies a more violent or complete breakage. For example, "The mirror was shattered into a thousand pieces." While "broken" can refer to something that is simply not in its original intact state, "shattered" gives the impression of a more extreme and chaotic break. It often suggests a sudden and forceful impact that has caused the object to break into many small fragments.
- Cracked: For example, "The windshield was cracked." "Cracked" means having a line or lines of breakage, usually not as severe as "shattered" or some uses of "broken". It indicates that there is a fissure or split in the object, but it may still hold together to some extent. A cracked object might still be functional, depending on the nature of the item and the extent of the cracking.
- Fractured: "Fractured" is often used in a more technical or medical context when referring to bones. For example, "He had a fractured leg." In a non - medical sense, it can also imply a break that is more like a split or a rupture. It gives a sense of a break that has occurred along a definite line or plane, similar to "cracked" but perhaps with a more serious connotation, especially in the context of hard materials like rocks or bones.
2. When "broken" means not working properly (in reference to a machine, device, etc.)
- Malfunctioning: For example, "The computer was broken/malfunctioning." "Malfunctioning" emphasizes that the device is not operating as it should due to some internal problem. It implies a mechanical or technical failure that prevents the normal function of the object. It's a more formal term than "broken" in this context and focuses on the improper operation rather than the physical state of the device.
- Out of order: For example, "The elevator was out of order/broken." This phrase is commonly used to indicate that a machine or piece of equipment is not in a working condition. It gives a sense that the equipment is not available for use because of a problem, without necessarily specifying the exact nature of the malfunction.
- Defective: For example, "The toy was defective and broken." "Defective" means having a flaw or imperfection that causes the item to be non - functional or to break easily. It implies that there is something wrong with the design, manufacturing, or quality of the object that leads to its broken state.
3. When "broken" means a relationship or connection that is severed or damaged
- Fractured: For example, "Their friendship was fractured/broken after the argument." As mentioned earlier, "fractured" can imply a break along a certain line, and in the context of relationships, it gives the sense of a crack or split that has weakened the bond. It's a more nuanced way of expressing a damaged relationship than just "broken" and can suggest that there may still be a possibility of repair.
- Ruined: For example, "The trust between them was ruined/broken." "Ruined" implies a more severe and perhaps irreversible damage to a relationship. It gives the impression that the relationship has been so damaged that it's almost beyond repair, with a sense of destruction and loss.
- Severed: For example, "The connection between the two departments was severed/broken." "Severed" means to cut off completely, often in a more decisive or forceful way. In the context of relationships or connections, it implies a clean break, without any remaining ties or hope of an easy restoration.