SCREW UP Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

screwup 1 of 2

noun

ˈskrü-ˌəp

Definition of screwup

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in butcher

someone who bungles an effort don't ask the office screwup to arrange the holiday party

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screw up

2 of 2

verb

as in to fumble

to make a mistake we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it

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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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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 screwup

Noun

But the screwups don’t end there. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 Vince is the screwup, a mostly-former drug and gambling addict, while Jake is a successful restaurateur, running the eponymous club/restaurant Black Rabbit in Manhattan. — Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025

Verb

The fear of failure can do as much harm as actually screwing up. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 By the end, Kylian Mbappe, the form player of the tournament, could only screw up his nose in frustration. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for screwup

Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup

Noun

That makes the world a more dangerous place, where a mistake by just one actor could ignite a regional firestorm, with a US military weakened by Iran unable to ensure American security.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
In a statement Monday, Gomez admitted to making mistakes, but denied violating any laws or House ethics rules.

— Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

Police said a man wielding a butcher's knife advanced toward officers, prompting them to open fire, killing him.

— Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
August is the month for many of our county and state 4-H fairs, and much livestock has a concluding chapter at a local butcher.

— Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of butcher

Verb

Lake Brantley appeared to have picked up the first down on third down but the ball was fumbled backwards to put the Patriots in fourth and long.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
After Carter Jensen flew out to deep center field, Caglianone tagged from second base and kept running toward home as outfielder Andy Pages fumbled the baseball out of his glove.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

California is attempting to build the nation's first bullet train, a project that's ballooned in cost and has blown through deadline after deadline for more than a decade.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
The technology adapts the physics of Helmholtz resonance, which is the physical phenomenon behind the hum produced by blowing across a bottle neck.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

But the motivations for the murders were an unplanned series of blunders designed to correct mistakes that were made.

— Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey made an uncharacteristic defensive blunder Wednesday night.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of blunder

Verb

Vulcan has stumbled due to ongoing problems with the performance of its solid rocket boosters, which are provided by Northrop Grumman.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
Nothing that would actually stop a person, a child, a wheelchair or a stumbling drunk from going straight into the water.

— Joseph V. Sakran, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumble

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Style

“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of screwup

noun

verb

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