What does fractured mean?

Pronunciation

/fræk.tʃərd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Broken or cracked into smaller pieces, often in a complex or irregular way; fragmented or divided into separate parts, often in a way that is difficult to repair or reunite.

Examples

• The mirror was fractured into a hundred pieces after the accident.
• The country’s fractured political landscape made it difficult to form a coalition government.

Synonyms

• Broken
• Shattered
• Split

Antonyms

• Intact
• Whole
• Unified

Additional Information

The term “fractured” can be used to describe physical objects, such as glass or bone, as well as abstract concepts, like relationships or societies. It implies a sense of fragmentation or division that is often difficult to repair or reconcile.

In medical contexts, a fractured bone refers to a break or crack in the bone, which may require surgical intervention to repair.

In social and political contexts, a fractured society or community refers to one that is deeply divided, often along lines of ethnicity, class, or ideology, making it challenging to find common ground or achieve consensus.

Etymology

The word “fracture” comes from the Latin “fractura”, meaning “a breaking” or “a shattering”. It has been used in the English language since the 15th century to describe both physical and metaphorical forms of breakage or division.

Usage Notes

When using the word “fractured” to describe a physical object, be careful to distinguish it from “broken”, which implies a more complete or total destruction. For example, a fractured glass may still be usable, whereas a broken glass is beyond repair.

In figurative contexts, “fractured” is often used to convey a sense of complexity or messiness, as in a “fractured relationship” or a “fractured political landscape”.

Cultural References

The term “fractured” has been used in numerous film and literature titles, such as “Fracture” (2007) starring Anthony Hopkins and “The Fractured Republic” (2016) by Yuval Levin.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Fractured identity”: a person’s sense of self is fragmented or divided, often due to conflicting loyalties or allegiances.
• “Fractured narrative”: a story or account that is disjointed, fragmented, or hard to follow.

Related Words or Phrases

• Shattered
• Smashed
• Divided
• Splintered

Collocations

• “Fractured bone”
• “Fractured society”
• “Fractured relationship”

Frequency of Use

The word “fractured” is moderately frequent in modern language, appearing in a variety of contexts, from medical and scientific writing to literary and philosophical discussions.

Common Misspellings

• Fractered
• Fracterd
• Fracturedd