screwup

1 of 2

noun

screw·​up ˈskrü-ˌəp How to pronounce screwup (audio)
1
: one who screws up
2

screw up

2 of 2

verb

screwed up; screwing up; screws up

transitive verb

1
: to tighten, fasten, or lock by or as if by a screw
2
a
b
: to cause to act or function in an erratic or confused way : confound, disturb

intransitive verb

: to botch an activity or undertaking

Examples of screwup in a Sentence

Noun That was a major screwup. She's a screwup who can't hold down a job. Verb we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it you've totally screwed up the spreadsheet
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Travis is a well-meaning screwup who comes from a family of cops but can’t get a place on the police force. Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025 The screwup became public Wednesday night at the task force’s second-ever meeting. Rebecca Ellis follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Verb
Evolve scenarios as markets do—launch a competitor's product, increase taxes, screw up a promotion, win an award... David Mahbub, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Also, the slots are spaced perfectly to match the screw holes on the bottom of a 2.5-inch drive, and the slots are long enough to screw up to three of those drives here. PC Magazine, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for screwup

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1625, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of screwup was in 1625

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screwup. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

screwup

1 of 2 noun
screw·​up ˈskrü-ˌəp How to pronounce screwup (audio)
1
: one who screws up
2

screw up

2 of 2 verb
1
: to tighten, fasten, or lock by or as if by a screw
2
b
: to cause to act in an odd or confused way
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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