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
But clutch heroics by Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger helped the Yankees survive the Mets’ furious comeback bid, snap a six-game losing streak and prevent a sweep at Citi Field. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025 The move, which was reported by ESPN, comes just hours after the Nats fell to the Boston Red Sox, 6-4, which was a sweep at Nationals Park this weekend. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep
Verb
  • The death toll has rose to over 120 people killed since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Guadalupe River and flowed through homes and summer camps in the early morning hours of July 4.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • Both the Sai and the Kok rivers flow into the Mekong, as does the Ruak, where unsafe levels of arsenic have also been found.
    Michael Sullivan, NPR, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead of straight paths, employ a curving pathway to reveal one part of the garden at a time.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
  • Bad Idea occupies more than 5,000 square feet of space, with 25-foot curving ceilings and tall windows that welcome in the fading light as the sun sets.
    Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 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
  • Meanwhile, much of the Upper Midwest on Saturday was dealing with swaths of unhealthy air because of drifting smoke from Canadian wildfire.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2025
  • After drifting to the sidelines in last week’s Snatch Game, this is exactly where Bosco needed to land this week.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 11 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
  • Sci-fi speedboats gliding above the water, backed by a rotating cast of celebrities.
    Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • But Ontario International Airport came in at No. 15, Hollywood Burbank Airport is at 14, John Wayne Airport landed at No. 12, and Long Beach Airport glided in at No. 2.
    Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • For much of the public, the full extent of the destruction does not yet seem to have sunk in, partly because the military censor has prohibited publishing the location of direct hits.
    Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025
  • The extent of the driver’s injuries were not immediately clear.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 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 21 Jul. 2025.

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