1
a
: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area
b
: having a curving line or form
2
a
: extensive
sweeping reforms
b
: marked by wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion
sweeping generalities
sweepingly
adverb
sweepingness
noun
Examples of sweeping in a Sentence
Noun
The porch needs a good sweeping.
Adjective
a sweeping view of the valley
He dismissed the idea with a sweeping motion of his arm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Addy Bink, The Hill, 7 May 2026
Dry sweeping alone just redistributes dust rather than removing it.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Learner Tien, with guidance from 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang, has the kind of game — sweeping, angled groundstrokes and deftness of touch — that should suit clay, but he is still getting used to its secret codes.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweeping
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Noun
Public health experts caution against sweeping or vacuuming, which can cause virus particles to get into the air.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 7 May 2026
Dry sweeping alone just redistributes dust rather than removing it.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The sweeping manifesto is about safeguarding humanity in an era of increasing reliance on artificial intelligence.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Learner Tien, with guidance from 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang, has the kind of game — sweeping, angled groundstrokes and deftness of touch — that should suit clay, but he is still getting used to its secret codes.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweeping
Cite this Entry
“Sweeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweeping. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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