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
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits
a screwball who liked to save lint and bits of string
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of screwball
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 May 2020
These two also know how to banter like they’ve been thrown into a Golden Age screwball comedy.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 May 2020
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
Though no suspects have yet been identified or captured, what is known about the robbery reads like a screwball television plot.
—Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for screwball 
Adjective
Little wonder the screwball comedy is practically a lost genre.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 May 2020
These two also know how to banter like they’ve been thrown into a Golden Age screwball comedy.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 May 2020
Noun
Still, the film's juggling of romantic drama, screwball comedy and thoughtful character study doesn't completely work.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
Though no suspects have yet been identified or captured, what is known about the robbery reads like a screwball television plot.
—Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for screwball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwball
Adjective
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Packed with silly hijinks, this 2004 comedy also stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kristin Davis.Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
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But 2024 is not 2017; silly overlays have given way to undetectable beauty filters.Chloe Albanesius, PCMAG, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Long before its golden sands and rocky coves became reality TV-famous, Laguna Beach was known as an enclave for artists, eccentrics, surfers, and bohemians.Christina Pérez, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
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That someone was Gary Paxton, one of the true eccentrics in the early fly-by-night Hollywood rock ‘n’ roll industry.Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But the series, like the film, shows that vampires are also multidimensional — vulnerable, emotional, funny, absurd — and completely out of place in the modern world.Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
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Photo: Their lives often appear dramatic and borderline absurd.Daisy Jones, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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His costar Elle Fanning, who plays Sylvie Russo, a character inspired by the singer’s muse, was a vision in yellow, bringing a sense of nostalgic glamour to the red carpet.Rosana Lai, Glamour, 16 Dec. 2024
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Luckily the owners at the time also wanted to preserve the home’s character and designed the addition to blend in with the original structure.Paola Singer, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Boke character, which would be Johnson, is the one who will make a mistake on purpose, or make a stupid joke.Justin Koreis, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2024
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Any Republican that would be so stupid as to do this should, and will, be Primaried.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Stated simply, the policy errors made with regard to money were uniquely foolish.John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Premature predictions of renewal would be foolish and, as Howe continually stressed, Newcastle cannot allow one strong outing to be followed by another meek one.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Tauruses will go crazy for something chic, functional, and soft to the touch.Meghan Rose, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2023
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Before getting into the chaos of episode 5, that episode 4 cliff hanger was crazy.Calie Schepp, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Nicole has got this mad playfulness as a performer.Marley Marius, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
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The first-year director of sports performance is a culture-setting strength coach, mad sports scientist and vocal advocate for her athletes.Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near screwball
Cite this Entry
“Screwball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwball. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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