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 Ego screws up most of the things in this life. — Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025 Kyle tries to jump up the wall, lands awkwardly, and screws up his ankle. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026 But what really screws up Julia are the deliveries. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for screws up

Verb

Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026
The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 May 2026

Definition of fumbles

Verb

Nico offers cocaine to calm her nerves and crudely propositions her, at which point Cassie raises the alarm and blows Miles’ cover.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Russia and Ukraine traded blows from the sky, each looking to claim the upper hand on the eve of a key NATO summit.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of blows

Verb

In the first, a quick history tour revisits how bad Minions have been in their quest to find villains to serve, until one group lands in 1920s Hollywood and stumbles into stardom.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 7 July 2026
After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of stumbles

Verb

Moriarty has reported on the yogurt shop murders for over 30 years.

— Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Not the family stuff, like Natalie’s spontaneous nipple piercing after making out with Cady’s maybe-daughter, Nevaeh (Malia Pyles), who later murders her own mother after kissing her, for way too long, on the mouth.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Definition of murders

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 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of screws up

verb

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