What Is Another Way to Say “Out of Order”?

Looking for synonyms for out of order? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say out of order.

  • Malfunctioning
  • Broken
  • Inoperative
  • Non-functional
  • Dysfunctional
  • Defective
  • In disrepair
  • Faulty
  • Not working
  • Disrupted
  • Unusable
  • Down
  • Out of service
  • Offline
  • Inoperable
  • Nonoperational
  • Not functioning
  • Unserviceable
  • Out of commission
  • Kaput

Want to learn how to say out of order professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Malfunctioning

Appropriate Use: Refers to something that is not operating correctly.
Example: “The printer is malfunctioning again; it won’t print any documents.”

2. Broken

Appropriate Use: Describes an item that is damaged or no longer functioning.
Example: “The coffee machine is broken and needs to be replaced.”

3. Inoperative

Appropriate Use: Indicates that something is not working or unable to function.
Example: “The security system is currently inoperative due to a power outage.”

4. Non-functional

Appropriate Use: Refers to something that does not perform its intended function.
Example: “After the update, several features of the software became non-functional.”

5. Dysfunctional

Appropriate Use: Describes something that is not operating normally or properly.
Example: “The dysfunctional heating system has made working in the office quite uncomfortable.”

6. Defective

Appropriate Use: Indicates that something has a flaw or defect and does not work correctly.
Example: “The device was found to be defective and was promptly returned to the manufacturer.”

7. In Disrepair

Appropriate Use: Describes something that is in poor condition due to neglect or age.
Example: “The old warehouse has been left in disrepair for years.”

8. Faulty

Appropriate Use: Refers to something that has a flaw or malfunction.
Example: “The investigation concluded that the accident was due to faulty brakes.”

9. Not Working

Appropriate Use: A straightforward term indicating that something is not functioning.
Example: “The elevator is not working; please use the stairs.”

10. Disrupted

Appropriate Use: Indicates that the normal operation or function of something has been interrupted.
Example: “Service has been disrupted due to technical issues.”

11. Unusable

Appropriate Use: Describes something that cannot be used, often due to damage or a defect.
Example: “After the flood, most of the equipment in the office was unusable.”

12. Down

Appropriate Use: Informal term often used for systems or services that are not functioning.
Example: “Our website is down at the moment; we are working to resolve the issue.”

13. Out of Service

Appropriate Use: Indicates that something is not currently operational or available for use.
Example: “The restroom on the third floor is out of service until further notice.”

14. Offline

Appropriate Use: Often used for technology, indicating that a system or device is not connected or operational.
Example: “The server went offline unexpectedly, causing a disruption in the network.”

15. Inoperable

Appropriate Use: Describes something that cannot be used or operated.
Example: “The machine is inoperable without the proper safety guards in place.”

16. Nonoperational

Appropriate Use: Indicates that something is not in a condition to be used or operated.
Example: “The factory is nonoperational until all inspections are completed.”

17. Not Functioning

Appropriate Use: A clear way to say that something is not working as it should.
Example: “The air conditioning system is not functioning, despite our attempts to fix it.”

18. Unserviceable

Appropriate Use: Describes something that cannot be used or serviced.
Example: “The old computer equipment is unserviceable and needs to be disposed of.”

19. Out of Commission

Appropriate Use: Indicates that something is not available for use, often temporarily.
Example: “The main conference room is out of commission due to renovations.”

20. Kaput

Appropriate Use: Informal term indicating that something is broken or not functioning.
Example: “The old printer is finally kaput; it’s time to get a new one.”

Linda Brown