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
Rebecca Ellis
follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The screwup wiped more than $3 billion off HPE’s market cap.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 July 2025
PC Magazine, 16 Aug. 2025
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who’s screwed up every quarterback decision he’s ever touched, is somehow already pre-emptively throwing his GM under the bus over Shedeur Sanders.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Noun
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
The screwup wiped more than $3 billion off HPE’s market cap.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 July 2025
Verb
Also, the slots are spaced perfectly to match the screw holes on the bottom of a 2.5-inch drive, and the slots are long enough to screw up to three of those drives here.
—PC Magazine, 16 Aug. 2025
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who’s screwed up every quarterback decision he’s ever touched, is somehow already pre-emptively throwing his GM under the bus over Shedeur Sanders.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screwup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup
Noun
-
Having the confidence to make tough decisions, to trust your team, to learn from your mistakes, and to keep moving forward.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
That, in my opinion, is a mistake.—
Arthur Azizov,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When the officer directed the man to the front of the station house for assistance, the suspect allegedly pulled out the butcher knife and attacked her but the officer was able to fight him off, Rivera said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
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Foothills is the sixth venture from the McKissicks, a local family whose business pursuits have evolved for the past two decades—from a farm to a butcher shop to this fresh iteration.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
San Francisco’s star defensive end tackled running back Ken Walker III for no gain on first-and-5 from the 9-yard line, then pushed right tackle Abe Lucas back in the pocket on second down, causing Darnold to fumble.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver also caused Derrick Henry to fumble – the running back’s only blemish during the night.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cleveland Browns blew both a golden opportunity at what would’ve been the surprise upset of Week 1 and a chance to add to the Cincinnati Bengals’ early-season misery of the past few years.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Buffalo, known for end-of-half blunders in past years, scored a field goal as the first half expired after moving the ball 48 yards in three plays (including a spike).—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As competition heated up with Walmart, Target made what may be viewed by some in hindsight a profound blunder, another case of brand amnesia.—
Greg Petro,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Inspired by true events, The Rip centers on a team of Miami police officers who stumble upon millions in cash during a raid of a stash house.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Rise of Long-Horizon Capital Where VCs stumbled, others seized control.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
An aircraft flying without GPS can accumulate miles of error in just hours.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
-
FanDuel acknowledged the error in the way the game score was displayed and pinned it on a third-party provider.—
Contessa Brewer,Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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