SCREWS UP Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

screws up

verb

present tense third-person singular of screw up

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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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

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for screws up

Verb

So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture.

— Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
DeLand was driving inside the 20 yard line and Taihj Moore fumbles, recovered by Lake Mary.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fumbles

Verb

Miami fans had plenty to stress about as the UM offense misfired and Florida State responded to potential knockout blows with huge plays.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
But when the final whistle blows, another job is often waiting for them the next morning.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of blows

Verb

The film will follow a boy (Leber), left to his own devices, who stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
While going through Verity’s files, Lowen stumbles on her memoir, an alleged confession.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumbles

Verb

And as the cops try to arrest them, only to realize their own jails aren’t accessible, the film expresses perfectly how the government trips over its own feet while resisting inevitable change.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Wheeler trips more often now and no longer rides his scooter around the cul de sac because of his deteriorating vision and poor coordination.

— Gerry Smith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of trips

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

Definition of slips up

Browse Nearby Words

screws around

screws up

screwup

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“Screws up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screws%20up. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of screws up

verb

Example Sentences

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