brokenly
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a broken manner: "brokenly" describes an action performed in a way that is interrupted, not continuous, or marked by breaks or pauses. It often refers to speech that is halting, disjointed, or lacking fluency.
Usage Examples
- (Her speech was interrupted and hesitant.)
- (The machine's operation was discontinuous and erratic.)
Advanced Usage
- "to sing brokenly": to sing with a voice that cracks or falters emotionally.
- He sang brokenly, his voice trembling with grief. (His singing was interrupted by emotional breaks.)
- "to move brokenly": to move with jerky or irregular motions.
- The dancer moved brokenly across the stage, simulating a struggle. (The movements were not smooth but disjointed.)
Variants and Related Words
- Broken (adj): having breaks or gaps; not whole or continuous.
- The vase is broken. (It is physically damaged into pieces.)
- Broken-hearted (adj): overwhelmed by grief or disappointment.
- She was broken-hearted after the loss. (Her heart felt shattered.)
Synonyms
- Haltingly: in a way that is hesitant or uncertain.
- Disjointedly: in a manner lacking connection or coherence.
- Jerky: with sudden, irregular movements or pauses.
Related Idioms
- "a broken record": someone who repeats the same thing over and over.
- He sounds like a broken record, always complaining about the same issue. (He repeats himself monotonously.)
- "broken English": English that is spoken with many errors or in a non-fluent manner.
- She spoke broken English, but we understood her meaning. (Her English was not fluent or grammatically perfect.)