1
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
clearly, there's been some sort of screwup about what time we were supposed to meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to fumble
to make a mistake
we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
you've totally screwed up the spreadsheet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwup
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Vince is the screwup, a mostly-former drug and gambling addict, while Jake is a successful restaurateur, running the eponymous club/restaurant Black Rabbit in Manhattan.
—Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
That might be kind of screwed up.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Noun
But the screwups don’t end there.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Vince is the screwup, a mostly-former drug and gambling addict, while Jake is a successful restaurateur, running the eponymous club/restaurant Black Rabbit in Manhattan.
—Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Kyle tries to jump up the wall, lands awkwardly, and screws up his ankle.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
That might be kind of screwed up.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup
Noun
-
The Magic became stagnant and settled for poor shots while the Pistons took full advantage of Orlando’s mistakes.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
In fact, many passengers unknowingly make small mistakes in premium cabins that can affect both their own comfort and the overall flight experience.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Luckily, the hunters brought the deer to a butcher who then informed EnCon police.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The restaurant’s core beef items reflect his mastery as a butcher.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But there’s a risk the Commission will fumble.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
There was an emotional honesty that embraced the idea that growth isn’t always linear (see Andie from The Devil Wears Prada, fumbling a relationship with a good guy because her career came first).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The family documents describe comfortable lives and prosperous businesses blown apart by the war and the mounting Nazi menace.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The focus narrows in on the remaining passengers and crew in the main sections of the aircraft not blown to bits, the cockpit and a stretch of the main cabin (finally, a reward for flying coach), precariously perched on a reef outcrop.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Brown could have made a change to the starting lineup, as some expected after a blunder of a Mikal Bridges performance (zero points, four turnovers) in the Knicks’ Game 3 loss at State Farm Arena on Thursday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Casey Schmitt made up for a baserunning blunder with a two-run homer, Drew Gilbert and Heliot Ramos added solo shots and the San Francisco Giants evened their three-game home series against the Miami Marlins at a game apiece with a 6-2 triumph Saturday afternoon.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Laugier’s story continues, the man wanders through a forest, stumbles upon fallen branches, and has an epiphany.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Mazzulla, who’s trumpeted the Celtics depth at every turn this season, shouldn’t hesitate to use it if his starters stumble on Saturday.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Apparently, staff learned to wash their hands, but the roaches returned to ruin another inspector’s visit.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gobeille led off the seventh with an infield single up the middle, and an error on Kiefer’s bunt put both on.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
During day three of the trial, Elon Musk struggled to present a confident front, which led to a number of unforced errors.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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