Synonyms of broken
-
as in shattered 
-
as in jagged
-
as in uneven
-
as in disrupted
-
as in stopped
-
as in demoted
-
as in deciphered
-
as in paused
-
as in plowed
-
as in violated
-
as in solved
-
as in damaged
-
as in stalled
-
as in bolted
-
as in worn
-
as in unfolded
-
as in ruined
-
as in originated
-
as in veered
-
as in reduced
-
as in exceeded
-
as in emerged
-
Example Sentences
-
Entries Near
1
as in shattered
forcibly separated into many pieces
a broken vase that could not be repaired
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jagged
having an uneven edge or outline
the broken rim of the antique vase greatly reduces its value
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
that portion of the hiking trail consists of a long, broken mountain ridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disrupted
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopped
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demoted
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deciphered
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in paused
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in plowed
to cut into and turn over the sod of (a piece of land) using a bladed implement
farmers once broke fields with horse-drawn plows
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in violated
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in solved
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in damaged
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in stalled
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in bolted
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in worn
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in unfolded
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in ruined
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
another bad investment could break him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
15
as in originated
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
16
as in veered
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
17
as in reduced
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
18
as in exceeded
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of broken
Cal Matters, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Still, the narrative dominating trading desks was less about long‑term strategy and more about broken expectations.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Emily St. Martin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Everyone knows rules are broken.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for broken
Adjective
This could be a sign of a broken transfer system that might be remedied if more colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees.
—Cal Matters, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Still, the narrative dominating trading desks was less about long‑term strategy and more about broken expectations.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
My heart is broken for her family, her loved ones, and everyone who adored her, both here in Canada and around the world.
—Emily St. Martin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Everyone knows rules are broken.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for broken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken
Adjective
-
The condition can also arise if an object goes through the brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In his apology, Ye claimed that a 2002 car accident that left him with a shattered jaw contributed to his struggle with bipolar I disorder, with which he was officially diagnosed in 2016 and shared with the public in 2018.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
These handheld masterpieces may come with jagged edges and some discrepancy in hole size, but the flavor and texture are perfect every time.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Located in Jackson Hole, this serene landscape is home to glistening lakes, jagged terrain, and beautiful moose, mule deer, bison, and elk.—
Giovanna Caravetta,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite substantial investment, outcomes remain uneven, and access to alternatives is often constrained by income.—
Carol Platt Liebau,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Bets on economic resilience have recently fueled gains in companies that tend to benefit from improving growth prospects, the latest data underscored the uneven labor market characterized by limited numbers of overall dismissals and lackluster hiring.—
Rita Nazareth,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Types of polar vortex events Meteorologists generally track two main ways the polar vortex behaves when it’s disrupted.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
For the operation, the team used a multi-node mesh network that could reroute data automatically through other available noted, if certain parts of the network were disrupted.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Department of Justice also stopped investigating the agent, Jonathan Ross, and federal authorities blocked state investigators from participating in the probe.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
After Pretti kicked out the taillight, the vehicle stopped, and a federal officer exited before grabbing Pretti and tackling him to the ground.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Charlotte, he eventually got demoted to a backup role.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Internal divisions in the DA have widened since late last year, when Steenhuisen demoted Dion George, the party’s then environment minister, in a cabinet reshuffle.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The sun dances to its own (currently less-than-deciphered) rhythms, moving through an 11-year-long cycle.—
Sarah Scoles,
Scientific American,
10 Dec. 2025
-
At first this voice from the heavens has seemingly sent a benign message but it’s quickly deciphered to be a DNA cocktail for Earthlings to investigate.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But the judge’s order to reinstate Damsky was paused pending appeal.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The disaster shook public confidence, led to speed reductions and temporarily paused construction on new lines, but no major incidents have been reported in the 15 years since, even as the network has continued to expand.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
