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
Powerful thunderstorms that swept through the tristate area on Thursday killed at least three people in New Jersey and knocked out power to tens of thousands, officials said Friday. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025 Construction of new homes in the U.S. has already significantly slowed down since the Trump administration's introduction of sweeping tariffs that brought up the cost of crucial material. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Noun
But clutch heroics by Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger helped the Yankees survive the Mets’ furious comeback bid, snap a six-game losing streak and prevent a sweep at Citi Field. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025 The move, which was reported by ESPN, comes just hours after the Nats fell to the Boston Red Sox, 6-4, which was a sweep at Nationals Park this weekend. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep
Verb
  • The death toll has rose to over 120 people killed since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Guadalupe River and flowed through homes and summer camps in the early morning hours of July 4.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • Both the Sai and the Kok rivers flow into the Mekong, as does the Ruak, where unsafe levels of arsenic have also been found.
    Michael Sullivan, NPR, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead of straight paths, employ a curving pathway to reveal one part of the garden at a time.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
  • Bad Idea occupies more than 5,000 square feet of space, with 25-foot curving ceilings and tall windows that welcome in the fading light as the sun sets.
    Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Water tank project removed A plan for a replacement water storage tank in La Jolla that has changed in scope several times over the past decade has changed again — so much so that it was removed from the city budget as a capital project.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
  • In other words, the show approaches its concept with the scope of an epic novel (which makes sense, as it's based on a beloved series of novels).
    Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, much of the Upper Midwest on Saturday was dealing with swaths of unhealthy air because of drifting smoke from Canadian wildfire.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2025
  • But while Carreras had much of the left flank to himself at Benfica, things will be more congested at Madrid, with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe often drifting over to that side in search of the ball.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Gabriel Pec played an long arcing ball to the top of the penalty box, where Marco Reus tapped a first-touch pass to a wide-open Paintsil, who calmly flicked a shot inside the back post from the left side of the area.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
  • Making a thunderous sound, each erupted in bursts of flame and trailed white smoke that arced high into the air.
    Janis Mackey Frayer, NBC news, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Sci-fi speedboats gliding above the water, backed by a rotating cast of celebrities.
    Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • But Ontario International Airport came in at No. 15, Hollywood Burbank Airport is at 14, John Wayne Airport landed at No. 12, and Long Beach Airport glided in at No. 2.
    Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • For much of the public, the full extent of the destruction does not yet seem to have sunk in, partly because the military censor has prohibited publishing the location of direct hits.
    Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025
  • While the measure was discussed to some extent on that May date, specifics regarding the measure weren’t known until months later.
    Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Martz brushed off the remark and Bertram took him back to his office.
    Tony Cook, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
  • Fixing leaks, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, installing water-efficient appliances and running full loads of laundry all help reduce water use.
    Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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