screwed up; screwing up; screws up
1
: to tighten, fasten, or lock by or as if by a screw
: to botch an activity or undertaking
Synonyms
Examples of screwup in a Sentence
Noun
That was a major screwup.
She's a screwup who can't hold down a job.
Verb
we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it
you've totally screwed up the spreadsheet
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Welch, The Verge, 17 Sep. 2024
There were so many lies, gaffes and screwups that there isn’t enough room to list them.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2024
Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
My first assumption on the hunt with Walz was that somebody had screwed up, failing to place the birds in the pre-planned locations.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for screwup 
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.
Noun
And considering the premature appearance on the website (and now these images), that might happen sooner than later as Sonos looks to get back on track after a colossal screwup.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 17 Sep. 2024
There were so many lies, gaffes and screwups that there isn’t enough room to list them.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2024
Verb
Myers nails the realistic teen who is a far cry from the unflappable Nancy Drew, screwing up plenty and often terrified of what she’s gotten herself into.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
My first assumption on the hunt with Walz was that somebody had screwed up, failing to place the birds in the pre-planned locations.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for screwup
Dictionary Entries Near screwup
Cite this Entry
“Screwup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screwup. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
screwup
1 of 2 noun
screw·up
ˈskrü-ˌəp 
1
: one who screws up
2
screw up
2 of 2 verb1
: to tighten, fasten, or lock by or as if by a screw
2
a
b
: to cause to act in an odd or confused way
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share