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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwup
Chris Welch, The Verge, 17 Sep. 2024
There were so many lies, gaffes and screwups that there isn’t enough room to list them.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2024
Tobias Burns, The Hill, 6 Feb. 2025
The tournament selection committee clearly screwed up by putting underqualified North Carolina in March Madness.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Noun
And considering the premature appearance on the website (and now these images), that might happen sooner than later as Sonos looks to get back on track after a colossal screwup.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 17 Sep. 2024
There were so many lies, gaffes and screwups that there isn’t enough room to list them.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2024
Verb
Experts described these systems as quite fragile and easy to screw up.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 6 Feb. 2025
The tournament selection committee clearly screwed up by putting underqualified North Carolina in March Madness.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup
Noun
-
There have been expensive product mistakes and lots of trial and error with brushes, clips, hair dryers….—
Liz Krieger,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Such mistakes have been made by many administrations over decades.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The latter was my choice, a lively room that felt like an upscale butcher shop turned restaurant with as many locals as hotel guests.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Artisans across Brooklyn were making their own bean-to-bar chocolate, canning pickles, opening old-timey butcher shops, and forging knives.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These are both great, morally complex characters with compelling stories and the trailer certainly looks terrific: However much Disney has fumbled the Star Wars IP over the last decade, the animated stuff has mostly been quite good.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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The characters in Megan Howell’s short stories, which glide into scenes of magical realism, are lonely people facing the harsh realities of an often violent world and fumbling toward something more hopeful.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
April 17, 2025 The wind gusts could blow around unsecured objects and a few power outages may occur, the National Weather Service advised.—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The lawyer, author and consulting firm CEO has spent more than 30 years counseling people through their biggest blunders and controversies, from former president George H. W. Bush to Fortune 500 CEOs and professional athletes.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
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Russell Westbrook bounced back from his decisive blunder against Minnesota by scoring a season-high 30 points and adding 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Woman Makes 'Creepy' Find In Thrift Store By Alice Gibbs Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A thrift store shopper from Scotland stumbled on something unexpected in her local store when a beautiful glass paperweight caught her eye.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
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Contractors renovating a historic home in Belgium stumbled upon the entrance to a secret tunnel identified by archaeologists as an escape route from World War I.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Justin Champagnie hit a 3-pointer, the Heat had a backcourt violation and then Carrington ruined Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s 40-point game by dropping this dagger on him.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Graham Pauley singled and advanced to third when a fielder’s choice turned into a throwing error on Bohm.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Kyren Paris reached on an error by Matt Chapman at third, with Chapman cutting in front of Adames with the ball bounding into the outfield to bring Neto home with the second run.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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