# screwed-up

CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/screwed-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

very bad, unfair, or full of problems. You use this when something is going wrong in a confusing or upset way.

For teachers: damaged, dysfunctional, or morally problematic. Informal in register and often used to describe situations that have gone significantly wrong due to incompetence or external interference.

## Examples

- The whole situation at work is totally screwed-up.
- After the laptop fell off the desk, the internal wiring was completely screwed-up and the screen stayed black.
- The city’s screwed-up transportation policy has resulted in hours of gridlock for commuters while simultaneously increasing the annual budget deficit.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.