as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
she's always off on some screwball plan
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits
a screwball who liked to save lint and bits of string
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwball
Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
In Brooks' screwball comedy about an ambitious politician, Mackey mainly plays Ella at age 34.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
Time, 31 Dec. 2025
In spirit, however, this redo is pure 1930s screwball comedy.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwball
Adjective
Over the course of the novel, each Flynn girl is suspended from school at least once for some screwball infraction, including spreading conspiratorial theories about covert surveillance operations in town, punching another kid in the face, and preparing to commit an act of domestic terrorism.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
In Brooks' screwball comedy about an ambitious politician, Mackey mainly plays Ella at age 34.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
The film was instead a screwball comedy, one with an outrageous script written by John Landis (National Lampoon’s Animal House, 1978) and Jonathan Lynn (Yes Minister, 1980-84).
—Time, 31 Dec. 2025
In spirit, however, this redo is pure 1930s screwball comedy.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwball
Adjective
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Every detail of Canadian/American (and the slash here is intentionally indicating a romantic relationship versus a friend or co-worker vibe) civics was sillier than the last.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
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Nothing is too silly or simple.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On her trail are a Báthory relative who is vegetarian (Thomas Schubert), his psychotherapist (Lars Eidinger), two vampirologists, a police inspector and a gallery of eccentrics.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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Catherine O’Hara portrayed ridiculous eccentrics with equal parts hilarity and humanity.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As a result, the price of gold is now approaching $5,300 an ounce, a level that would have seemed absurd even to seasoned commodities traders just a few years ago.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Luke and Mike Bell, the father-and-son team from South Africa already famous for pushing electric quadcopters to velocities that seemed positively absurd, appear to be building for both.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Activities Personalised treks to experience the character and charm of nearby villages, mountains, monasteries and lakes are led by highly knowledgeable guides such as Gyaljen Sherpa, 36, a veteran of Himalayan trekking.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
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There’s a lot of character in that room.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And to be perfectly fair, nervous gratuitous laughter at stupid jokes is not unknown among anyone, including the press corps.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
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Above all else, avoid the stupid mistakes that lead to injury, illness, and evacuation from the game.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Sun Belt is the only real exception, having now defined itself as FBS’ actual Southeastern conference, partly by losing its former oddballs like Idaho and New Mexico State.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Jack and Rose are oddballs, neither fitting into their respective societal slots.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Although his fortunes have faltered, counting Trump out would be foolish.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
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But counting on two players with hamstring issues to rescue the defense seems more foolish than strategic.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Chastain’s career has been pretty insane, too.—
Greg Riddle,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Canada is an insane team out there,’’ said Quinn Hughes.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screwball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwball. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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