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
The Huskies swept their regular-season series against both teams comfortably, but St. John’s would present a tougher matchup as one of the top defensive teams in the conference. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025 The return of Renée Zellweger as the titular heroine swept past the milestone with Wednesday’s numbers included, reaching $101.3M through yesterday. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
The win caps a veritable sweep for Saldaña, who also took top honors for her role as a Mexican lawyer at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, BAFTAs and Critics Choice. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025 In 2023, the Democratic candidates lost in a Republican sweep. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep
Verb
  • But unseen, in underground pipelines that cut through vast fields of barley, flows about $5 billion annually worth of Canadian crude oil and natural gas, most of it from Alberta.
    Dee-Ann Durbin and Sally Ho, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, some 40% of natural gas produced in the U.S. flows through Kinder’s systems.
    Brett Owens, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a space known as the Languedoc wine region of southern France, within the huge administrative region of Occitanie, multiple independent wine appellations curve in an arc alongside—and parallel to—the Mediterranean Sea.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Published on February 11, 2025 By Wendy Bowman Photo : Full Package Media/Compass A curving floating staircase can be found in the double-height living room.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Prior to principal photography, Anderson spent more than a year working with his VFX supervisor Dennis Berardi to develop the full look and scope of the Lost Lands.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Kessler regularly represents the MLBPA in litigation (including in a recent case concerning the scope of the union’s over agents), and has been involved in every past decertification effort by players unions.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The outage occurred during a violent storm on the surface, which caused the ship to rapidly drift in the swells and drag the bell with it.
    Megan McCluskey, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On such a surface, parallel lines arc away from each other rather than staying the same distance apart, and at every point, the surface curves in two opposing directions like a saddle.
    Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
  • England fans were singing 10 German Bombers outside a bar and as a couple of locals walked by a bottle was in the air, arcing above my head and smashing into a shop window.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Where Mio’s dragon spews acid that melts metal and can glide great distances, Zoe’s can curl into a ball and use momentum to move or break objects and certain parts of the environment.
    Kyle Wilson, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The back features a slip-on design that your foot can glide into, with no need to untie (or retie) laces .
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • However, with the Russian death toll in Ukraine, which could be as high as 211,000, how veterans integrate into civilian life and how society views them may be shaped by the extent to which the truth of the war's human costs is revealed.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Whilst Europeans may not appreciate the extent to which a ‘beggar thy neighbour’ philosophy is driven by US security policy, the White House is underestimating the value that America’s wide ranging financial, diplomatic and commercial infrastructure bring it.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Like a spa day for high-end fabric, the pieces are brushed, steamed and misted back to life.
    Violet Goldstone, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
  • And speaking of looks, the 2.0 also now has brushed nickel control panels.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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