sweeping

1 of 2

noun

sweep·​ing ˈswē-piŋ 

1

: the act or action of one that sweeps

gave the room a good sweeping

2

sweepings plural : things collected by sweeping : refuse

sweeping

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area

b

: having a curving line or form

2

a

: extensive

sweeping reforms

b

: marked by wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion

sweeping generalities

sweepingly adverb

sweepingness noun

Synonyms of sweeping

Adjective

• broad
• extensive
• wide
• deep
• expansive
• extended

Examples of sweeping in a Sentence

Noun

The porch needs a good sweeping.

Adjective

a sweeping view of the valley

He dismissed the idea with a sweeping motion of his arm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And in Julian Schnabel’s sweeping In the Hand of Dante, fresh from its debut at the Venice Film Festival in September, Isaac plays dual roles 700 years apart, ranging from the 14th to 21st centuries. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2025

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments to scrutinize the tariffs President Trump’s sweeping levied against every nation on earth. —Ben Bayer, Oc Register, 3 Nov. 2025

Adjective

The sweeping executive action rescinded all orders Adams signed after he was indicted on federal corruption charges in September 2024. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026

Musk has been the most sweeping in his vision of a post-work future. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sweeping

• sweeping victory

Rhymes for sweeping

• beeping
• creeping
• heaping
• keeping
• leaping
• peeping
• reaping
• seeping
• sleeping
• steeping
• weeping
• beekeeping

Kids Definition

sweeping

1 of 2 noun

sweep·​ing

1

: the act or action of one that sweeps

2

plural : things collected by sweeping

sweeping

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area

b

: having a curving line or form

2

: broad sense 5

sweeping reforms

sweeping generalizations

sweepingly

ˈswē-piŋ-lē

adverb