What Is Another Way to Say “Broke Down”?

Looking for synonyms for broke down? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say broke down.

  • Collapsed
  • Failed
  • Malfunctioned
  • Disintegrated
  • Crumbled
  • Deteriorated
  • Fell apart
  • Stopped working
  • Disrupted
  • Fragmented
  • Caved in
  • Decomposed
  • Shattered
  • Disbanded
  • Unraveled

Want to learn how to say broke down professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Collapsed

When to Use: Suitable for situations where something falls down or gives way suddenly, often used in structural or health contexts.
Example: The old building collapsed due to structural failure.

2. Failed

When to Use: Appropriate for describing a lack of success or the cessation to function normally, often used in business, mechanical, or academic contexts.
Example: The new software update failed to address the major bugs.

3. Malfunctioned

When to Use: Ideal for situations where a device or system does not function as intended, often used in technical or mechanical contexts.
Example: The printer malfunctioned during the large print job.

4. Disintegrated

When to Use: Best used when something breaks into small parts, typically in a way that is sudden and cannot be easily put back together, often in physical or organizational contexts.
Example: The prototype disintegrated during the stress test.

5. Crumbled

When to Use: Suitable for describing something breaking or falling apart into small fragments, often used in structural or metaphorical contexts.
Example: The ancient wall crumbled over the centuries.

6. Deteriorated

When to Use: Appropriate for situations where something is worsening over time, often used in health, environmental, or material contexts.
Example: The machine’s performance deteriorated due to lack of maintenance.

7. Fell Apart

When to Use: Ideal for describing something breaking into pieces or failing to stay together, often used in physical or emotional contexts.
Example: The agreement fell apart due to disagreements among the parties.

8. Stopped Working

When to Use: Best used to simply state that a machine or system ceased to operate, often in a casual or everyday context.
Example: My laptop stopped working right before the presentation.

9. Disrupted

When to Use: Suitable for situations where a process, activity, or system is interrupted or disturbed, often used in business or technological contexts.
Example: The power outage disrupted the manufacturing process.

10. Fragmented

When to Use: Appropriate for describing something breaking or being divided into fragments or pieces, often used in social, political, or technological contexts.
Example: The data became fragmented over different platforms.

11. Caved in

When to Use: Ideal for situations where something collapses inward, often in a literal sense relating to structures, but can be used metaphorically.
Example: The ceiling of the cave caved in during the exploration.

12. Decomposed

When to Use: Best used for describing the process of something rotting or decaying, especially in biological or environmental contexts.
Example: The organic material decomposed quickly in the compost bin.

13. Shattered

When to Use: Suitable for situations where something breaks into many pieces, often used in the context of glass, hopes, or expectations.
Example: The glass window shattered when the tree branch hit it.

14. Disbanded

When to Use: Appropriate for describing a group or organization that has broken up or ceased to function, often used in military, corporate, or organizational contexts.
Example: The committee disbanded after completing its final report.

15. Unraveled

When to Use: Ideal for situations where something is coming undone or becoming disentangled, often used in the context of plans, strategies, or mysteries.
Example: The conspiracy theory unraveled as new facts were brought to light.

Linda Brown