1
as in fumbled
to make a mistake
we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in blew
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
you've totally screwed up the spreadsheet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwed up
In a world of near-constant conference realignment and the transfer portal, the annual Red River Rivalry game at the State Fair of Texas is one of the few things the sport hasn’t screwed up.
—
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
How do things get so screwed up?
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Having obvious trouble is Lesley, who put a layer of shortbread under her flapjack, which screwed up the cooking time, which screwed up the decorating time, which left Lesley, well, screwed.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
How do things get so screwed up?
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Having obvious trouble is Lesley, who put a layer of shortbread under her flapjack, which screwed up the cooking time, which screwed up the decorating time, which left Lesley, well, screwed.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwed up
Verb
-
Coleman fumbled away his first catch in that game, at Buffalo’s 10-yard line, gifting New England a free field goal in a three-point game.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled a handoff late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Bears’ defense to recover.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The emotions as referee Thomas Bramall blew the final whistle, confirming Wrexham’s first defeat in five Championship games, provided a stark contrast.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
But Holmes blew through his cash, spending much of it on expensive cars.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this year a gamer in Ohio stumbled on a collector’s edition of Starfield for just $75.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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According to witnesses, Owens stumbled from the porch and yelled for someone to call 911 before collapsing.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Back in January, Preston remembered filming My Best Friend’s Wedding — and how an iconic scene ruined crab and lobster for her.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
All the beautiful lines have been ruined.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even the Chargers special teams had slipped up, as returner Derius Davis fumbled a kickoff return in the third quarter that led directly to 3 Broncos points.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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And while Conrad was the one who slipped up at the peach orchard in Episode 5, Belly’s the one to blame in Seadon 3, Episode 6.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If one or the other is tripped, turn that back on and test again.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
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Except reserve safety Devon Key sliced in at the last minute, dove and tripped Davis up.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is the uniform in which DesRochers greets me at the nucleus of her sprawling entrepreneurial pursuits that are dubbed The Gratitude Collective, her brick home sitting high atop a hill in Avondale.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Oct. 2025
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Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Tsung-Dao Lee Institute conducted the sea trial of a device dubbed the Subsea Precision Instrument Deployer with Elastic Releasing (Spider).—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Most American women who deal with domestic violence and are murdered, are murdered by their intimate partner.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
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The Sandy Hook massacre, in which 26 people were murdered, including 20 children, generated new debate over gun violence legislation, but Congress took no action.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screwed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwed%20up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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