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
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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
-
The iconic teen drama kept emotions flowing from 1998 to 2003.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
The bigger the bottleneck, the more freely the contents of the bottle flow through it.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
The architects Jeff Milstein and Barbara Weinstein pushed the kitchen under an arched alcove, lifted a bedroom above a curving wall, and carved a private office into the living area that looks like a tiny southwestern house.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
22 May 2025
-
The gleaming buildings of Chicago, curving along the shore of Lake Michigan, are especially lethal.—
Vincent Alban,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Court of Common Pleas Judge Stephen Corr said the lawsuit was beyond the scope of state law.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
30 May 2025
-
His role, while technically unpaid and temporary, grew in both scope and influence—often bypassing traditional bureaucratic channels.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
From casting a line and drifting beneath cottonwoods to paddling through splashing whitewater, adventures on the San Miguel are a refreshing way to experience its rhythms.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
23 May 2025
-
The film, so enjoyably wacky at first, deflates and drifts to a stop like one of its showboat cars running on empty.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
23 May 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
-
To a lesser extent, McDavid was part of Leon Draisaitl’s Rocket-winning act this season.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
-
What to do instead: Make getting high-quality sleep a priority, to the extent that that’s possible.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
23 May 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 5 Jun. 2025.
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