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

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

Tips For Keeping Bathroom Floors Clean Longer Regular sweeping can help keep dirt, dust, and hair from building up on your bathroom floors between cleanings. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025

Adjective

On Tuesday, reports surfaced that the administration had begun a sweeping review of about 233,000 refugees admitted between 2021 and 2025. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

For a peaceful retreat near Lake Trasimeno, Country House Montali, set on 25 acres with just nine rooms, offers sweeping views and thoughtful vegetarian cuisine amidst olive groves. —Matteo Della Grazia, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025

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