screw

verb

Definition of screwnext
1
as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition screwed up his face at the taste of the medicine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats managed to screw his siblings out of their share of the inheritance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of screw For this technique to work, a metal screw with wide threads, like a wood screw, works best for gripping the cork. — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026 Permanent flood barriers are anything that gets screwed into the wall or permanently attached to a structure. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 One man records himself using the claws to screw bottle lids off and on. — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026 Its compact tube has a screw-on lid, and the product takes up hardly any space compared to other popular moisturizers on the market. — Elleanna Revell, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screw
  1. distort
  2. squeeze
  3. deform
  4. cheat
  5. contort
  6. pluck
  7. curl
  8. stick
Verb
  • The mathematical description of how a telescope distorts a point of light is called its point spread function.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In both films, everything comes in threes, the incessant crosscutting is accorded a flashy metaphysical weight, and time itself is manipulated, distorted, and rearranged to the point of meaninglessness.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of distort
Verb
  • The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil artery between Iran and Oman, has sent oil and gas prices on the uptick, squeezing Americans at home.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Drain collard greens and squeeze gently to remove excess water.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • That countries with nearly twice the number of billionaires per capita as the United States have thriving democracies should, however, give the lie to the idea that the superrich, by their mere existence, deform democracy.
    — Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The successful campaign allowed engineers to assess how the magnet deforms under electromagnetic loads and compare its behavior with structural models.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of deform
Verb
  • Honestly, Trump’s attempt to cheat by pressuring states to simply disenfranchise Democrats may go down in history as one of the greatest political self-owns of all time — right behind that Ramaswamy ad.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Later on, after the guests have left, this cheating convention makes Kaylee nervous.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • Her dancers contort and gyrate not only to music but to the mischievous natter of recorded dialogue, to the sound of wind and the hiss and lurch of a train.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Halfway through my hands and feet went numb, then felt like fire, and then contorted into strange positions like lobster claws.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of contort
Verb
  • November is the time to play up your outerwear game, and this leopard-print coat feels like it was plucked straight from my mood board.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
  • This distinct atmosphere is especially noticeable in the second set when Cooper swaps his trap set for a balafon and Taylor reaches into his piano to pluck the strings.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • Cue designs that turn the alligator into articulated geometries that rest against the collarbone, dangle from earlobes or curl around fingers and wrists.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • For formal occasions, Diana often swept her layers away from her face, letting the ends curl outward beneath her dazzling jewels.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of curl
Verb
  • Including one that saw its accelerator pedal getting stuck at max, probably the most dangerous one besides the wheel issue.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • There are relationships stuck in gray areas, career paths that feel like pyramid schemes, nights out that turn into existential crises, parents who just don’t understand.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of stick

Phrases Containing screw

Browse Nearby Words

screenwriters
screw
screw around
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Cite this Entry

“Screw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screw. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on screw

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about screw

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