sweep 1 of 2

1
2
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course from this point the mountain range sweeps to the northeast and extends into the next state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sweep

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sweep differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sweep are compass, gamut, orbit, range, and scope. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

When is compass a more appropriate choice than sweep?

In some situations, the words compass and sweep are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When could gamut be used to replace sweep?

While in some cases nearly identical to sweep, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

In what contexts can orbit take the place of sweep?

While the synonyms orbit and sweep are close in meaning, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When might range be a better fit than sweep?

The words range and sweep can be used in similar contexts, but range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

When can scope be used instead of sweep?

The words scope and sweep are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

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 sweep
Verb
As staff debated whether to evacuate by bus or hike uphill, 74 kids and 10 teachers were swept to their deaths. Bill Weir, CNN Money, 14 July 2025 Massage Using your clean fingers, gently massage the area around your eyes to promote lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness: Start at the inner corners of your eyes near the bridge of your nose, then use light, sweeping motions to move outward toward the outer corners. Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
Noun
The Brewers' dramatic extra-innings win Wednesday sealed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025 Federal immigration agents carried out immigration sweeps at two Southern California cannabis farms on Thursday, prompting a heated standoff between authorities and several hundred protesters at a Ventura County site that resulted in several arrests and injuries. James Rainey follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep
Verb
  • All traffic flows through a single, unified policy engine with common enforcement points.
    Etay Maor, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • The mountain slopes tend to erode when saturated, especially after wildfires, resulting in potentially deadly debris flows.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Enjoying an excellent day in front of a vociferous home support at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the 36-year-old found himself in a spot of bother when his tee shot at the par-four 11th curved into the rough on the right of the fairway.
    Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
  • Most storms that form off Florida’s east coast tend to track north or northeast along the Atlantic, often curving away from the U.S. mainland.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • By expanding their scope to include internal as well as external threats, organizations can build real resilience and ensure a systemic and coordinated approach to both executive and enterprise security.
    Control Risks, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The Trump administration has dramatically curtailed the ability for those facing deportation to be released from immigration detention, its latest effort to expand the scope of its sweeping immigration crackdown, sources briefed on the policy change told CBS News.
    July 15, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • As agencies begin translating priorities into rules and funding decisions, implementation could drift into partisan favoritism.
    Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Football, meanwhile, was still drifting about in his mind.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Gabriel Pec played an long arcing ball to the top of the penalty box, where Marco Reus tapped a first-touch pass to a wide-open Paintsil, who calmly flicked a shot inside the back post from the left side of the area.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
  • Making a thunderous sound, each erupted in bursts of flame and trailed white smoke that arced high into the air.
    Janis Mackey Frayer, NBC news, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Employees glide swiftly through the open kitchen, sprinkling tacos with In-A-Tub’s signature orange cheese dust.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
  • Even when it's packed full, the wheels glide like a dream over multiple surfaces with no wayward drifting (usually a point of failure for softsides that may lean with weight).
    Jamie Hergenrader, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The report, released Friday, downplayed the extent of Russian interference in the 2016 election by highlighting Obama administration emails showing officials had concluded before and after the presidential race that Moscow had not hacked state election systems to manipulate votes in Trump's favor.
    Dan Gooding Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • The find also hints that many other tyrannosaurs were feathery to some extent, including later giants like Gorgosaurus and T. rex.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Her extensions brushed her torso, falling just above her belly button.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 July 2025
  • Jim Cramer on Monday brushed off Morgan Stanley’s downgrade of CrowdStrike , viewing the cybersecurity giant’s recent dip as a potential buying opportunity.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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