screwball 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of screwballnext
as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment she's always off on some screwball plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

screwball

2 of 2

noun

ˈskrü-ˌbȯl How to pronounce screwball (audio)
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits a screwball who liked to save lint and bits of string

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 screwball
Adjective
The alternately suspenseful and silly scene nicely sets up the tone for this new season, which is infused with references to classic Westerns as much as screwball comedies. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 Smith’s play falls into the rom-com subgenre of screwball comedy, a satirical take on romance that was popular from the 1930s through the 1950s. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
The alternately suspenseful and silly scene nicely sets up the tone for this new season, which is infused with references to classic Westerns as much as screwball comedies. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 Meanwhile, McKenzie and Radcliffe share a winsome screwball chemistry, literally falling over themselves and each other to profess their love. — Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for screwball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwball
  1. silly
  2. eccentric
  3. absurd
  4. character
  5. stupid
  6. oddball
  7. foolish
  8. original
Adjective
  • Every player with a pulse had six suitors throwing silly money around.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Some scenes in the movie are light and silly, including those pairing Maddie with a lesbian friend, played by Kate Berlant, who clearly loves her.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 30 June 2026
Definition of silly
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Definition of eccentric
Adjective
  • The 41-year-old is still an elite NBA player, which is still an absurd reality to consider.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • The thesis rests on a claim that would have sounded absurd a year ago.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of absurd
Noun
  • There was a small card with a graphic that pictured Wiley walking in the middle of Bluey and Bingo, two characters from the show.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Her refusal to sugarcoat the interior and exterior lives of her characters, whether enslaved or traumatized by the past — by events in American history — was purposeful.
    — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of character
Adjective
  • And no, that was NOT OutKick or FOX who wrote that stupid headline.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The thing about House of the Dragon is that everything really is quite stupid.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of stupid
Noun
  • Many audiences may recognize him best as the shirtless, nunchuck-wielding oddball in the coming-of-age classic Ghost World (2001).
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026
  • Black Rock Coalition bands like funk-metal group 24-7 Spyz and shoegaze oddballs the Veldt—particularly when the Veldt’s murkiness resolves into a major-key chorus.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
Definition of oddball
Adjective
  • Comparing Young’s new deal to any extension for Davis would be a foolish exercise.
    — Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • Further, Plato’s disdain for Gorgias, Antisthenes’ first teacher, and sophistry in general is clear; in the Platonic dialogue Gorgias, the titular character is made out to be rather foolish.
    — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of foolish
Noun
  • Released at Watches and Wonders in April, the latest iteration retains the original’s 39 mm steel case, but has a few important technical and aesthetic upgrades.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 July 2026
  • Now the game’s future is looking decidedly brighter and many more players of the original may be tempted to give the sequel a second chance.
    — Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of original

Browse Nearby Words

screw around
screwball
screwballs
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Cite this Entry

“Screwball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwball. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on screwball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about screwball

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