1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in butcher
someone who bungles an effort
don't ask the office screwup to arrange the holiday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to fumble
to make a mistake
we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwup
Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
The screwup was first discovered by John Fasana, a former Duarte city councilmember who sits on the county’s governance reform task force, which is tasked with implementing the government overhaul.
—Rebecca Ellis
follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
As Nick in the present-adjacent day sure knows a hell of a lot about Dante Alighieri, perhaps the best person to criticize him and recognize his gaps in logic and knowledge, and how Nick is so profoundly screwing up his own life, would be Dante himself.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Noun
Travis is a well-meaning screwup who comes from a family of cops but can’t get a place on the police force.
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
The screwup was first discovered by John Fasana, a former Duarte city councilmember who sits on the county’s governance reform task force, which is tasked with implementing the government overhaul.
—Rebecca Ellis
follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Verb
Ego screws up most of the things in this life.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
As Nick in the present-adjacent day sure knows a hell of a lot about Dante Alighieri, perhaps the best person to criticize him and recognize his gaps in logic and knowledge, and how Nick is so profoundly screwing up his own life, would be Dante himself.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup
Noun
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And Apple has no plans to release Veritas as a standalone consumer app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who calls this a mistake, and is calling for Apple to release the AI chatbot as a standalone app.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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But even his mistakes were committed in his desire to protect the integrity of the institution he’d been appointed to lead.—
Billy Ray,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This place belongs to the Carver, a deranged butcher who hunts anything foolish enough to enter.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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The area includes popular spots like Marrow Detroit restaurant and butcher shop, La Fonda Street and the temporarily closed Sister Pie.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Last year, Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor celebrated prematurely and fumbled the ball through the back of the end zone on what was going to be a 41-yard TD run.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Cowboys linebacker James Houston caused Love to fumble.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kansas football blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost to Cincinnati on Saturday.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
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After blowing a golden opportunity against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the Ravens blew out the Cleveland Browns but then coughed up another statement-win opportunity against the Detroit Lions last week.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The harsh taste of a blunder at Bethpage Black.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Again, special teams blunders set the defense up in poor position, but the defense ultimately coughed up big gains on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But there have been some career stumbles recently, a superhero disappointment in particular, that must have complicated Johnson’s conception of his remarkable career.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Vehicles included in this recall may have an error in the instrument panel software at startup, failing to show speed, brake system information, and tire pressure warning lights.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Yes, plenty of errors were made — six of them by shortstop Trevor Story in September alone — but errors are different from gaffes.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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