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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in butcher
someone who bungles an effort
don't ask the office screwup to arrange the holiday party
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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
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2
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
you've totally screwed up the spreadsheet
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwup
Rebecca Ellis
follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya were massive screwups.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2019
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
Now the most popular thing on this carnival ride is the Home Run Derby, which isn’t baseball, but a show of strength — and to me, a clown show with juiced baseballs.
Tatis wisely chose to skip this Derby, which has been known to screw up swings.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Noun
The screwup was first discovered by John Fasana, a former Duarte city councilmember who sits on the county’s governance reform task force, which is tasked with implementing the government overhaul.
—Rebecca Ellis
follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya were massive screwups.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2019
Verb
Democrats are facing pressure to fight Trump, Republicans are cutting spending with the rescissions package, and somehow Congress always finds a way to screw up the regular spending bill process.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
Now the most popular thing on this carnival ride is the Home Run Derby, which isn’t baseball, but a show of strength — and to me, a clown show with juiced baseballs.
Tatis wisely chose to skip this Derby, which has been known to screw up swings.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup
Noun
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What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to recreate the Honey Deuce at home?—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Austin Jackson told reporters last month that the players were behind the decision to run laps after committing penalties or mental mistakes in practice.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One of the butchers returned with a 20-gauge shotgun.—
Bennet Goldstein,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
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Whose former city attorney, Michael Gates, sued California to keep out of his hometown everything from sanctuary state policies to affordable housing mandates and is now a deputy U.S. assistant attorney general for civil rights, which is like putting a butcher in charge of a vegan picnic?—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Jaylen Wright fumbled on a hit from safety John Saunders Jr.... Grayson Murphy sacked Wilson, who nevertheless threw the ball to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a 30 yard TD pass...—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 Aug. 2025
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Playing their third road game in five days, the expansion team nearly fumbled a 17-point, first-half lead but got enough stops down the stretch to escape with a 68-67 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The foghorn blew every 30 seconds and pelicans sailed above, doing a quick half corkscrew turn before diving.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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United’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, was on the pitch beforehand, ball-juggling and blowing kisses to the crowd, and Neil Webb smashed one in from 25 yards on his debut — wild stuff, honestly (yeah, get on with it, Grandad).—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Over the past decade, the legendary team was known for tragic blunders regarding decision making and communication.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
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In total, Bonilla will walk away with a $29.8 million payday because of Wilpon’s blunder.—
Allen Kim,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The Wave have been fortunate that Orlando and Washington have also stumbled, keeping the gap small.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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Indeed, the Braves overcame an early 5-1 deficit in the series opener Tuesday with four runs in the fourth inning to tie the score, only to give it right back on a night when Spencer Strider stumbled, tying a career high with eight runs allowed in four innings.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Her Altadena home and the surrounding community were ruined by the Eaton wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles in January.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
14 Aug. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One 2025 study indicated that facial recognition tools had higher error rates for adults with Down syndrome.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The error range for this method is 3% to 4%.4 Bio-electrical Impedance: a measurement method using the speed of a low-level electrical current to determine a person's body composition.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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