screwed up

Definition of screwed upnext
past tense of screw up

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 screwed up The Sens are going to lose their pick for nothing at all, because of how a GM their fans didn’t like screwed up a trade his team wasn’t even involved in. Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 That might be kind of screwed up. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026 That seems like our priorities are screwed up. Terry Gross, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026 Kid Rock‘s lip-synch was screwed up. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026 The climate may get screwed up in new ways as scientists attempt to turn the planet’s temperature dial down. Christian Elliott, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026 What Mager is showing here is the difference between kids and adults, the openness and willingness to be bold and confront things head on with matter-of-fact honesty in a world that is being screwed up by their elders and those in charge. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwed up
Verb
  • In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the messages, Hooker said that the wind blew him and Lynette apart.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Neighbors and other observers in the area blew whistles, honked horns and yelled outrage, with some recording the detention from a distance, but the agents — wearing military-style fatigues and equipment — got the 57-year-old into a vehicle and drove away.
    Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • An Easter Sunday celebration at a Long Beach, California park took a disturbing turn when a person searching for hidden eggs stumbled upon a human skull partially buried in dense brush.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
  • In trading Angel Reese yesterday, this franchise stumbled upon a crossroad.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Gilbert suggested that the allegations alone have ruined their lives.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Talley went long with an 8-iron into a back bunker on the 12th, the hole that ruined Jordan Spieth's chances of a repeat Masters victory in 2016.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There’s Championship action on Monday, when Middlesbrough travel to Sheffield United knowing a win will lift them to the top of the table, after Coventry City slipped up again on Saturday.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • 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
  • But their strategy was fouled up when the car’s occupants switched on the headlights, throwing a glare up the tote road along which the wardens had planned to sprint.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Wild turkeys gobbled up Staten Island straphangers’ time on Monday, after a flock fouled up service on the Staten Island Railway.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In one video, a horse tripped on a curb and fell over, toppling its rider before running off.
    Nick Sullivan April 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Wembanyama had tripped over his shoelace, the referees determined.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Toronto is a good defensive team but doesn’t shoot the 3-ball well and has a half-court offense that can get mucked up and relies heavily on midrange jumpers.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Well, the first and third mucked up their stories with some overly contrived lore about cults and gods, and the fourth was an experiment for the formula that didn’t quite work.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Screwed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwed%20up. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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