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sweep

verb \ ˈswēp \
|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of sweep

swept play \ˈswept\; sweeping
transitive verb
1 a : to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush
  • swept the crumbs from the table
b : to destroy completely : wipe out —usually used with away
  • everything she cherished, might be swept away overnight
  • —Louis Bromfield
c : to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action
  • swept the books off the desk
d : to remove from sight or consideration
  • the problem can't be swept under the rug
e : to drive or carry along with irresistible force
  • a wave of protest that swept the opposition into office
2 a : to clean with or as if with a broom or brush
b : to clear by repeated and forcible action
c : to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly
  • fire swept the business district
  • —Amer. Guide Series: Md.
d : to win an overwhelming victory in or on
  • sweep the elections
e : to win all the games or contests of
  • sweep a double-header
  • sweep a series
3 : to touch in passing with a swift continuous movement
4 : to trace or describe the locus or extent of (something, such as a line, circle, or angle)
5 : to cover the entire range of
  • his eyes swept the horizon
intransitive verb
1 a : to clean a surface with or as if with a broom
b : to move swiftly, forcefully, or devastatingly
  • the wind swept through the treetops
2 : to go with stately or sweeping movements
  • proudly swept into the room
3 : to move or extend in a wide curve or range
— sweep one off one's feet
: to gain immediate and unquestioning support, approval, or acceptance by a person
— sweep the board or sweep the table
1 : to win all the bets on the table
2 : to win everything : beat all competitors

See sweep defined for English-language learners

See sweep defined for kids

Examples of sweep in a Sentence

  1. He swept the dirt off the driveway.

  2. He swept the crumbs from the table.

  3. I need to sweep the kitchen.

  4. Are you finished sweeping the porch?

  5. A storm swept across the plains.

  6. Fires swept through the forest.

  7. She proudly swept into the room.

  8. The limo swept up to the door.

  9. He swept the curtains aside.

  10. She swept the books off the desk.

Recent Examples of sweep from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sweep.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sweep

Middle English swepen; akin to Old English swāpan to sweep, Old High German sweifen to wander

sweep Synonyms

Synonyms

bowl, breeze, brush, coast, cruise, drift, flow, glide, roll, sail, skim, slide, slip, stream, whisk;

Antonyms

flounder, struggle;

Near Antonyms

limp, lumber, plod, stumble, trudge;

shamble, shuffle;

stamp, stomp, stump, tramp;

labor, toil;

Related Words

fly, race, rush, speed;

2

sweep

noun

Definition of sweep

1 : something that sweeps or works with a sweeping motion: such as
a : a long pole or timber pivoted on a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well
b : a triangular cultivator blade that cuts off weeds under the soil surface
c : a windmill sail
2 a : an instance of sweeping; especially : a clearing out or away with or as if with a broom
b : the removal from the table in one play in casino of all the cards by pairing or combining
c : an overwhelming victory
d : a winning of all the contests or prizes in a competition
e : a wide-ranging search of an area (as by police)
3 a : a movement of great range and force
b : a curving or circular course or line
c : the compass of a sweeping movement : scope
d : a broad unbroken area or extent
  • a sweep of wildflowers
e : an end run in football in which one or more linemen pull back and run interference for the ballcarrier
4 : chimney sweep
5 : sweepstakes
6 : obliquity with respect to a reference line
  • sweep of an airplane wing
; especially : sweepback
7 sweeps plural : a television ratings period during which surveys are taken to determine advertising rates

See sweep defined for English-language learners

Examples of sweep in a Sentence

  1. Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople.

Recent Examples of sweep from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sweep.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of sweep

illustration of sweep

First Known Use of sweep

1548

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

sweep Synonyms

Synonyms

amplitude, breadth, compass, confines, dimension(s), extent, range, reach, realm, scope, width;

Related Words

gamut, spectrum, spread;

bailiwick, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, province, region, specialty, sphere, terrain;

frontier;

horizon, panorama;

Synonym Discussion of sweep

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). 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
gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.
    • a performance that ran the gamut of emotions
compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.
    • your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study
sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.
    • the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity
scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.
    • as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened
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

Phrases Related to SWEEP

Related Phrases

SWEEP Defined for English Language Learners

sweep

verb

Definition of sweep for English Language Learners

  • : to remove (something, such as dust or dirt) from a surface with a broom or brush or with a quick movement of your hand, fingers, etc.

  • : to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) with a broom or brush

  • : to move or pass quickly, forcefully, or smoothly

sweep

noun

Definition of sweep for English Language Learners

  • : an act of cleaning an area with a broom or brush

  • : a long, smooth movement often in a wide curve

  • : a large area of land often forming a wide curve

SWEEP Defined for Kids

1

sweep

verb \ ˈswēp \

Definition of sweep for Students

swept \ˈswept\; sweeping
1 : to remove with a broom or brush
  • Please sweep up the dirt.
2 : to clean by removing loose dirt or small trash with a broom or brush
  • I need to sweep the floor.
3 : to move over or across swiftly often with force or destruction
  • Fire swept the village.
4 : to move or gather as if with a broom or brush
  • I swept the money from the table.
5 : to move the eyes or an instrument through a wide curve
  • They swept the hill for some sign of the enemy.
6 : to touch a surface of quickly
  • The musician's fingers swept the piano keys.
7 : to drive along with steady force
  • Debris was swept away by the tide.
8 : to become suddenly very popular throughout
  • It's a show that is sweeping the nation.
9 : to achieve a complete or easy victory
—

sweeper

noun
2

sweep

noun

Definition of sweep for Students

1 : a curving movement, course, or line
  • I brushed it away with a sweep of my hand.
2 : an act or instance of cleaning with a broom or brush
3 : a wide stretch or curve of land
4 : something that sweeps or works with a sweeping motion
5 : a complete or easy victory
6 : 1range 2, scope
  • The island was outside the sweep of our vision.
7 : chimney sweep

Learn More about sweep

  1. See words that rhyme with sweep Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sweep Spanish Central: Translation of sweep Nglish: Translation of sweep for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sweep for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sweep

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