sweep 1 of 2

Definition of sweepnext
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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

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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
Picking up the ​ball on the left flank, Manzambi drove forward with purpose before whipping a low cross across ​the face of goal for Breel Embolo to sweep home. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 July 2026 The heat wave sweeping across the country will hit several World Cup locations, including New Jersey, Kansas City, and Philadelphia, where stadiums lack roofs and air-conditioning. Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Noun
The Red Sox’s four-game sweep will buoy them and haunt the Yankees for a while, and this Travelers will probably stay with Scheffler, too. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 The Yankees’ defense let down Cam Schlittler during Thursday night’s series-opening loss, while Fernando Cruz failed to protect a two-run lead in the 10th inning of Sunday’s sweep-clinching defeat. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep
Verb
  • Rainfall — as little as a tenth of an inch, according to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, or ALCOSAN — can cause an overflow of stormwater and raw sewage to flow into the rivers.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Through the morning, a river of mourners dressed in black flowed from the Grand Mosalla.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • His update on the C-cut began just below the chin, with extra lift at the roots and inward-curving lengths that narrowed toward the ends to create the illusion of a heart.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
  • In the final minute of stoppage time to end the first half, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi curved his free kick right in front of the goal, seemingly just one perfect touch away from a goal.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The movement lacks central leadership and messaging, but its scope has expanded beyond the environmental complaints that sparked it.
    Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
  • The agency has not indicated when that review will conclude, and the final scope of any patent could change during the examination process.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • When those models drift or their assumptions fail, errors can scale rapidly.
    Akhilesh Sharma, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Antonee Robinson left-footed the ball to an unmarked Sergiño Dest at the top of the box, a shot that was blocked in the wall, then arced toward the goal.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Apart from arcing faults, the system can also spot and classify six other categories of grid disturbances.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Oliver may have lived her own world to some extent, but that world was still the real one.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 July 2026
  • In bumping off Ecuador 2-0 Tuesday night in the friendly confines of Estadio Azteca, Mexico has set up Telemundo (and to a lesser extent, Fox) for a post-holiday blockbuster against England.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Clear sunscreen sticks glide across the skin without leaving the chalky white cast that mineral formulas can create, and their solid texture means less dripping or rubbing than a lotion.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • The kit allows the bomb to glide 60 to 80 kilometers following the release from aircraft such as the Su-34, Su-35, and Su-30.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • What if Baahubali dies and has to go through the 14 realms of the afterlife in Indian mythology?
    Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
  • He’s transported to a realm of Tolkienesque fantasy, deposited somewhere between the Stony Waste and the Frozen Sea.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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