SCREWUP 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

Even Dougie, an inveterate screwup, isn’t without hidden depths—and Anthony, a natural hype man for whoever’s around, takes his plea for emotional support seriously, quickly becoming invested in a twisty succession crisis. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026 But the screwups don’t end there. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Verb

That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 So not screwing up Spider-Man is about putting a beating heart at the center rather than a bunch of spectacle. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screwup

Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwup

Noun

In Kundassery’s view, the Democratic Party had made a critical mistake in the first few months of 2025.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
To keep errors in check, each graph is shown to multiple volunteers, and their answers are combined so that individual mistakes average out, according to the project's website.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

Sabrina came from a high-status family of scholars, and Phillip, the struggling musician and child of butchers, wasn’t enough for her family.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Independent grocery stores and butchers that use the same refrigeration system may also have been affected.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of butcher

Verb

On Saturday morning, temperatures in the fire area were in the mid-80s and winds blew at about 15 mph.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
There have been two times, and maybe three, since 2020 when Baylor should have won the game, but blew it.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Adam Hamilton Hamilton, the Democratic nominee, has characterized the war as a major foreign policy blunder.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Holding her tongue is not Kate’s forte in general, and the severity of Todd’s avalanche of blunders in their meeting with the British foreign secretary tests the outer limits of her ability.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blunder

Verb

Resendiz finished strongly, sending Mazoudier stumbling backward in the final minute.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Munyon's Paw-Paw, an alcoholic beverage dating to the early 1900s, has been resurrected by two longtime spirits industry veterans who stumbled upon its unusual history during a family outing.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

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screws up

screwup

screw up

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Style

“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwup. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of screwup

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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