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
2
as in butcher
someone who bungles an effort
don't ask the office screwup to arrange the holiday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwup
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 July 2025
Adults were once afraid of teens: the greasers of Rebel, the boppers of Beach Party, the stoners of Fast Times, the screwups of The Breakfast Club.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
That’s obviously the most ambitious goal on the table for us, because that whole system is clearly screwed up almost beyond repair unless somebody else comes in and upends it all.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Noun
The screwup wiped more than $3 billion off HPE’s market cap.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 July 2025
Adults were once afraid of teens: the greasers of Rebel, the boppers of Beach Party, the stoners of Fast Times, the screwups of The Breakfast Club.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
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
That’s obviously the most ambitious goal on the table for us, because that whole system is clearly screwed up almost beyond repair unless somebody else comes in and upends it all.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup
Noun
-
Having the confidence to make tough decisions, to trust your team, to learn from your mistakes, and to keep moving forward.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
That, in my opinion, is a mistake.—
Arthur Azizov,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When the officer directed the man to the front of the station house for assistance, the suspect allegedly pulled out the butcher knife and attacked her but the officer was able to fight him off, Rivera said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
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Foothills is the sixth venture from the McKissicks, a local family whose business pursuits have evolved for the past two decades—from a farm to a butcher shop to this fresh iteration.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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San Francisco’s star defensive end tackled running back Ken Walker III for no gain on first-and-5 from the 9-yard line, then pushed right tackle Abe Lucas back in the pocket on second down, causing Darnold to fumble.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Defensive tackle Ed Oliver also caused Derrick Henry to fumble – the running back’s only blemish during the night.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Cleveland Browns blew both a golden opportunity at what would’ve been the surprise upset of Week 1 and a chance to add to the Cincinnati Bengals’ early-season misery of the past few years.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When the event is abruptly cancelled due to a booking blunder, the four seize the chance to brainstorm a sequel, retreating to the film’s original locations for inspiration.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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Some staff reportedly asked whether the messages were a mistake, underscoring the confusion and distress caused by the blunder.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Closer Bryan Abreu stumbled but has earned the benefit of the doubt with the dominance he’s displayed.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Exposure to harmful content is another risk as studies show that teens are more likely than adults to stumble upon self-harm imagery or extremist propaganda.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To avoid the busiest times, try to visit the wall and the main church ruins early in the morning or later in the afternoon when most tour groups have moved on.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Helene cost him less than 10 percent of that collection, thousands of seeds ruined when his freezers lost power and frost melted.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Due to an editing error, a prior version of this report misstated what match Djokovic is playing Friday.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Sabalenka ended the match with 43 winners compared to 27 errors; Pegula was 21 for 15.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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