1
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
the wind swept across the plain without respite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Alana Wise, NPR, 30 May 2025
Around the same time the fire swept through Nottoway, a tree fell and destroyed part of a Confederate museum in North Carolina — an eerie coincidence that felt almost symbolic.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 29 May 2025
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025
The Braves are still just 2-12 in games against the Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers this season, including sweeps by both teams during Atlanta’s 0-7 season-opening trip to Southern California.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep
Verb
Thick, billowing clouds of smoke are sweeping south from wildfires ravaging the central Canadian province of Manitoba into parts of the United States, compromising air quality for millions of Americans across several northern states.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 30 May 2025
Around the same time the fire swept through Nottoway, a tree fell and destroyed part of a Confederate museum in North Carolina — an eerie coincidence that felt almost symbolic.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 29 May 2025
Noun
Taylor Clarke closed the door in relief to earn the save and help the Royals avoid a series sweep.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025
The Braves are still just 2-12 in games against the Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers this season, including sweeps by both teams during Atlanta’s 0-7 season-opening trip to Southern California.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep
Verb
-
Salivary Blockages Blockages or obstructions to the salivary glands may also cause mouth dryness because saliva doesn't flow as easily to the mouth.10 7.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
-
The real threat to the fiscal well-being of the median American comes from the price of energy, from which all other prices flow.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Of course, Apple will have thought of this and curved the edges, for instance, to mitigate this.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Halfway into the decade, the company's latest sustainability report released Thursday shows the software giant has a long way to go to meet that goal but may be starting to bend its emissions curve downward.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The trial took place one month before the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling expanding the scope of presidential immunity, and Trump's lawyers have argued that the evidence would have not been permitted based on the high court's ruling.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
30 May 2025
-
Direct File is still limited in scope, and may be on its way out, casting taxpayers back into the jungle of for-profit tax preparation software.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
The Switch's most famous durability issue has been the Joy-Con controllers that have experienced drifting problems, but that's only part of the story here.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
6 June 2025
-
The smoke has drifted south and east, creating moderate air quality levels for a large swath of central and southeastern states, according to AirNow.gov.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
That arrow of light arcing over Celestial Park kicks off a spectacular water show with dancing fountains, lights and music in the pools running through the center of the land.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
13 May 2025
-
Had Merino arced his run a little better, the entire semi-final might have turned on its head.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The lightweight, invisible formula easily glides over the skin, hydrating any skin type.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
-
The formula glides on sheer and leaves skin looking luminous, not greasy, thanks to its vitamin C and E infusion, which also helps nourish and condition.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
The specific extent and locations depend on unpredictable currents and wind patterns, with annual peaks historically occurring in midsummer.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
That would be an 18% decline from the same period last year, equating to by far the weakest quarterly deliveries growth since at least 2015, the extent of quarterly delivery data available on Tesla’s investor relations website.—
Derek Saul,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
This often includes disinfecting boots and brushing off any soil or plant material.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2025
-
Our lives are assembled from hundreds of small rituals: brushing our teeth, brewing our morning coffee, or arranging our pillows just so before going to be.—
Tom Mylan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share