SCREWBALL Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

screwball 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of screwball

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

screwball

2 of 2

noun

ˈskrü-ˌbȯl

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 Of all contemporary Gallic stars, Lellouche and Demoustier already feel slightly out of time, their features recalling both silent-era performers and screwball archetypes. — Ben Croll, IndieWire, 12 May 2026

Noun

This is especially apparent in scenes with multiple characters speaking, recalling 1930s American screwball comedies with a dash of French realism. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 May 2026 The screwball comedy is one of the great gifts that 1930s Hollywood gave us, but that genre didn’t win too many awards. — Jordan Hoffman, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screwball

Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwball

Adjective

Of course, challenges immediately present themselves, the silliest of which belongs to Samir and Paul Baker.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
In practice, a black-and-white hunk of metal sprinting into a wall looks silly.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of silly

Noun

Make sure to practice a full range of motion with these and emphasize the eccentric (the way down) part of the movement for maximal time under tension and muscle-building stimulus.

— Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 19 Aug. 2026
No documentarian has a better eye for intriguing oddballs than Errol Morris, who built his feature film career on drawing them out in conversation, from pet-cemetery owners in Gates of Heaven to small-town eccentrics in Vernon, Florida.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of eccentric

Adjective

Far too much coverage of declining trust in science — particularly the anti-vaccine movement — is predicated on the assumption that its adherents are either stupid or crazy.

— Rick Berke, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of stupid

Noun

The Oscar-winning actress has written a new musical stage adaptation around the character, set to open on London’s prestigious theater scene in the summer of 2027.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
The entire ensemble of cast led by Manoj, Divya, and Boman bring an incredible depth to their characters.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of character

Adjective

The roster might as well be an All-Star team, and this pitching staff is absurd.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The very idea of a trade war with Canada — our neighbor, our ally, our closest friend, a nation that’s peaceful and whose people have a reputation for kindness — is absurd.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of absurd

Noun

No documentarian has a better eye for intriguing oddballs than Errol Morris, who built his feature film career on drawing them out in conversation, from pet-cemetery owners in Gates of Heaven to small-town eccentrics in Vernon, Florida.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
The Ramones stood on stage not as rock gods or unattainable heroes, but as oddballs, misfits, and fellow outcasts in torn jeans.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Definition of oddball

Noun

Joey King plays Sally’s other daughter, Kylie, while Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as the spell-casting sisters from the 1998 original.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Manifest creator Jeff Rake is teaming with Margaret Easley and Laura Putney, writers and co-executive producers on the original, for Arrivals.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of original

Browse Nearby Words

screw around

screwball

screwballs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Screwball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwball. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of screwball

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on screwball

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes