SCREW UP Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

screwup 1 of 2

noun

ˈskrü-ˌəp

Definition of screwup

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

as in butcher

someone who bungles an effort don't ask the office screwup to arrange the holiday party

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screw up

2 of 2

verb

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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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

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 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

First of all, don’t hide misdeeds and screwups, which comes naturally by not committing misdeeds and not screwing up. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 One of the puzzles was constructing a dance that was simple enough to believe anyone could do it, yet tricky enough for DJ to screw up in multiple ways. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for screwup

Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup

Noun

Avoiding these debt relief mistakes can help keep costs under control and improve your chances of a successful outcome.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 July 2026
This was deliberate and not a fashion or ordered-the-wrong-size-on-Amazon mistake.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

That’s when Champion made thick cotton tops with hoods to help keep butchers warm in meat lockers and construction crews insulated during periods of cold outdoor labor.

— Faran Krentcil, InStyle, 1 July 2026
The back room of Flod’s studio is like a butcher’s walk-in fridge, where dozens more masks hang from the ceiling, each more outlandish than the last.

— Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of butcher

Verb

Eugene Levy‘s fumbling birds and the bees talks comprise some of the funniest moments of American Pie — and most of them were improvised.

— Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026
But in her concentration, Porsha fumbled her words, which made the Faithfuls, who were desperate for a crumb of evidence so early in the game, suspicious of her sincerity.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Definition of fumble

Noun

Many of the Round of 16 matches have been tight, and a defensive blunder or a goalkeeper howler could change the course of a game.

— Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Goalkeeper Matt Freese’s costly blunder in the 57th minute was an embarrassment that gifted the Belgians a third goal to all but seal the elimination loss.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of blunder

Verb

The huge animals knocked bodies to the cobblestones, and stumbling runners caused several pileups during the two-and-a-half-minute run from the pen to the bull ring where bullfighters will kill the bulls later in the day.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
The huge animals knocked down bodies to the cobblestones, and stumbling runners caused several pileups during the 2½-minute run from the pen to the bullring where bullfighters would kill the bulls later in the day.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of ruin

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screws up

screwup

screw up

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Style

“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of screwup

noun

verb

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