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
Just a few weeks later, she was swept off to the WNBA draft and selected by Dallas as a guard. Grace Harrington, People.com, 19 May 2025 The movie is also a plea to not sweep the past under the carpet. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Noun
Iglesias will bat ninth on Sunday as the Padres look to avoid a sweep and just their second three-game losing streak of the season. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025 As of Thursday night’s series finale in Detroit – a second consecutive Tigers’ walk-off to clinch a sweep – the Red Sox are 4-12 in one-run games. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep
Verb
  • The bigger the bottleneck, the more freely the contents of the bottle flow through it.
    Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
  • The iconic teen drama kept emotions flowing from 1998 to 2003.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 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 formula glides on without tugging or feathering, and hydrates with jojoba, shea, and coconut oils.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 18 May 2025
  • Though the moment is smeared in dramatic score, a dull clanging pierces through; the EMTs can’t get the gurney wheels to glide out of the doorway.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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