1
as in fumbles
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 blows
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 screws up
But what really screws up Julia are the deliveries.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
Kyle tries to jump up the wall, lands awkwardly, and screws up his ankle.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Ego screws up most of the things in this life.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
Kyle tries to jump up the wall, lands awkwardly, and screws up his ankle.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Ego screws up most of the things in this life.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screws up
Verb
-
The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
-
If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Thirty years later, that daughter walks into a therapist’s office — and blows the cover off a landmine she was never meant to touch.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Set during the summer of 1975, Sessa stars as a 19-year-old Bourdain who travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
After an embarrassing encounter — Wells, working as a janitor, stumbles upon Graham naked in the locker room — the two make an arrangement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Kingpin’s enforcer Buck Cashman (Arty Froushan) shockingly murders Deputy Mayor Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini) in a showdown of Fisk’s two right-hand men.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Geillis, on her quest to install Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne, murders her husband as a blood sacrifice and walks through the stones.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Most trips depart from the Florida Keys.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
His assistant coaches lift him, swarm him, and someone trips.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Dominic Zvada boots a 31-yard field goal to give the Wolverines the lead.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At Baku, however, the car looks to be a podium contender, potentially fighting for the win if McLaren slips up.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Along the way Texas needs to hope Seattle slips up, or else that final weekend in Cleveland could wind up being meaningless.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Claire meets strange apothecary Master Raymond, who dubs her La Dame Blanche.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Soon a tunnel between the ships, then a meeting, with a friendly, inquisitive alien who looks like a sort of craggy spider/crab, whom Grace dubs Rocky.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screws up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screws%20up. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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