Broken vs. Op — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 22, 2024
Broken often refers to something that is damaged and no longer functioning, whereas OP (overpowered) describes something excessively strong or effective, typically in gaming.
Difference Between Broken and Op
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Broken usually describes an object or system that is damaged and no longer in a working condition. For example, a broken machine does not operate as intended. On the other hand, OP (overpowered) is a term frequently used in gaming and other contexts to describe characters, items, or abilities that are too strong or effective, thus disrupting balanced competitive play.
In terms of physical items, broken items require repair or replacement to function properly again. This could include anything from broken electronics to broken furniture. Conversely, when something is described as OP, it suggests that it exceeds the expected norms or limits of power, often calling for rebalancing or nerfing to ensure fairness.
Emotionally or metaphorically, broken can describe feelings, relationships, or spirits that are deeply hurt or shattered. Whereas, OP does not typically apply to emotional states but remains focused on describing excessive strength or effectiveness in competitive scenarios.
In literature or storytelling, a broken character often undergoes significant trauma or loss, which impacts their development or actions within the story. In contrast, an OP character in a narrative might be one who possesses abilities or skills that overshadow all others, sometimes to the detriment of the story’s balance or believability.
From a repair perspective, something that is broken might be fixable, with the right tools and expertise. In contrast, addressing something that is OP usually involves adjustments or changes by the developers or creators to reduce its effectiveness, ensuring a better balance in gameplay or system functionality.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Damaged and non-functional
Excessively strong or effective
Contexts
Physical items, emotions, relationships
Games, software, competitive environments
Requirement
Repair or replacement
Balancing or nerfing
Emotional Connotation
Often negative, implies loss or damage
Can be negative or positive, implies dominance
Narrative Role
Central to character development and plot
May disrupt balance and believability in stories
Compare with Definitions
Broken
Not operating as expected, malfunctioning.
She had to call the service center because her phone was broken.
Op
Requiring adjustment to restore balance.
The community has suggested nerfing the OP abilities of the fighter class.
Broken
Physically damaged and non-functional.
The broken vase lay scattered in pieces across the floor.
Op
Having an unfair advantage in a scenario.
With her OP skills, she easily topped the scoreboard every game.
Broken
Emotionally distressed or deeply affected by sadness.
After the news, he felt completely broken inside.
Op
Affecting game dynamics negatively due to excessive strength.
The OP spells in the game are making other strategies obsolete.
Broken
Having gaps or interruptions.
His sleep was broken by the loud noises from the street.
Op
Excessively powerful, beyond what is considered fair or balanced.
That character is so OP that nobody else stands a chance against him.
Broken
Incomplete or disrupted.
The negotiations ended in a broken agreement that satisfied no one.
Op
Dominating the competition with ease.
In the latest game update, the new weapon is completely OP.
Broken
Past participle of break.
Op
To promote (an IRC user) to an operator.
Broken
Forcibly separated into two or more pieces; fractured
A broken arm.
Broken glass.
Broken
Sundered by divorce, separation, or desertion of a parent or parents
Children from broken homes.
A broken marriage.
Broken
Having been violated
A broken promise.
Broken
Incomplete
A broken set of books.
Broken
Being in a state of disarray; disordered
Troops fleeing in broken ranks.
Broken
Intermittently stopping and starting; discontinuous
A broken cable transmission.
Broken
Varying abruptly, as in pitch
Broken sobs.
Broken
Spoken with gaps and errors
Broken English.
Broken
Topographically rough; uneven
Broken terrain.
Broken
Subdued totally; humbled
A broken spirit.
Broken
Weakened and infirm
Broken health.
Broken
Crushed by grief
Died of a broken heart.
Broken
Financially ruined; bankrupt.
Broken
Not functioning; out of order
A broken washing machine.
Broken
Inflection of break
Broken
; in separate pieces.
Broken
; having the bone in pieces.
My arm is broken!
The ground was littered with broken bones
Broken
(of skin) split or ruptured.
A dog bit my leg and now the skin is broken.
Broken
; made up of short lines with small gaps between each one and the next.
Broken
(of sleep) interrupted; not continuous.
Broken
Five-eighths to seven-eighths obscured by clouds; incompletely covered by clouds.
Tomorrow: broken skies.
Broken
Having periods of silence scattered throughout; not regularly continuous.
Broken
Breached; violated; not kept.
Broken promises of neutrality
Broken vows
The broken covenant
Broken
; not functioning properly.
I think my doorbell is broken.
Broken
Disconnected, no longer open or carrying traffic.
Broken
Badly designed or implemented.
This is the most broken application I've seen in a long time.
Broken
(of language) Grammatically non-standard, especially as a result of being produced by a non-native speaker.
Broken
Not having gone in the way intended; saddening.
Oh man! That is just broken!
Broken
Completely defeated and dispirited; shattered; destroyed.
The bankruptcy and divorce, together with the death of his son, left him completely broken.
Broken
Having no money; bankrupt, broke.
Broken
(of land) Uneven.
Broken
Overpowered; overly powerful; too powerful.
Broken
Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish.
Broken
Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a broken surface.
Broken
Fractured; cracked; disunited; sundered; strained; apart; as, a broken reed; broken friendship.
Broken
Made infirm or weak, by disease, age, or hardships.
The one being who remembered him as he been before his mind was broken.
The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay,Sat by his fire, and talked the night away.
Broken
Subdued; humbled; contrite.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
Broken
Subjugated; trained for use, as a horse.
Broken
Crushed and ruined as by something that destroys hope; blighted.
Broken
Not carried into effect; not adhered to; violated; as, a broken promise, vow, or contract; a broken law.
Broken
Ruined financially; incapable of redeeming promises made, or of paying debts incurred; as, a broken bank; a broken tradesman.
Broken
Imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner; as, broken English; imperfectly spoken on account of emotion; as, to say a few broken words at parting.
Amidst the broken words and loud weeping of those grave senators.
Broken
Physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split; or legally or emotionally destroyed;
A broken mirror
A broken tooth
A broken leg
His neck is broken
Children from broken homes
A broken marriage
A broken heart
Broken
Not continuous in space, time, or sequence or varying abruptly;
Broken lines of defense
A broken cable transmission
Broken sleep
Tear off the stub above the broken line
A broken note
Broken sobs
Broken
Subdued or brought low in condition or status;
Brought low
A broken man
His broken spirit
Broken
(especially of promises or contracts) having been violated or disregarded;
Broken (or unkept) promises
Broken contracts
Broken
Tamed or trained to obey;
A horse broken to the saddle
This old nag is well broken in
Broken
Topographically very uneven;
Broken terrain
Rugged ground
Broken
Imperfectly spoken or written;
Broken English
Broken
Thrown into a state of disarray or confusion;
Troops fleeing in broken ranks
A confused mass of papers on the desk
The small disordered room
With everything so upset
Broken
Weakened and infirm;
Broken health resulting from alcoholism
Broken
Destroyed financially;
The broken fortunes of the family
Broken
Out of working order (`busted' is an informal substitute for `broken');
A broken washing machine
The coke machine is broken
The coke machine is busted
Broken
Discontinuous;
Broken clouds
Broken sunshine
Broken
Lacking a part or parts;
A broken set of encyclopedia
Common Curiosities
How do developers address an OP issue in games?
Developers usually balance or nerf the OP elements to ensure fair play.
What does it mean when a device is broken?
It means the device is damaged and does not function as intended.
Is being broken always a negative state?
While often negative, being broken can lead to important personal growth and recovery stories.
What contexts is the term OP used in?
OP is primarily used in gaming, competitive sports, and discussions around balance in software or systems.
Can broken items always be repaired?
Not always; some broken items may be beyond repair and require replacement.
How can a player deal with an OP opponent in a game?
Players can adapt their strategies, seek countermeasures, or await game balancing updates.
Can a character in a book be OP?
Yes, a character can be OP if their abilities prevent other characters from contributing meaningfully to the story.
What are the emotional implications of something being broken?
It often leads to feelings of frustration, sadness, or loss.
What makes an item OP in a competitive environment?
An item is OP if it gives a player a significantly higher chance of winning, bypassing skill and strategy.
Why might players dislike OP features in games?
Because they can reduce the enjoyment and challenge by making outcomes predictable and unfair.
What is an example of a broken system?
A healthcare system that fails to provide necessary services to the public can be considered broken.
Can relationships be described as broken?
Yes, relationships can become broken when trust, communication, or compatibility erodes.
Are there benefits to something being broken?
It can provide opportunities for analysis, innovation, and improvement.
How do you know if something is OP in a game?
It's typically evident if it consistently outperforms other options in a variety of scenarios.
What does it mean for a law or policy to be broken?
It implies that the law or policy fails to address the issues it was intended to solve, often due to flaws or gaps.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
