sweep (away)

verb

Definition of sweep (away)next
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of some priceless works of literature were swept away when the library at Alexandria burned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep (away)
  1. eradicate
  2. erase
  3. abolish
  4. destroy
  5. wipe out
Verb
  • Four Months Before the Wedding If your primary concern is eradicating sun spots or hyperpigmentation before your wedding—whether that be on your face or body—speak with your dermatologist about the possibility of laser treatments.
    — Rio Viera-Newton, Vogue, 23 July 2026
  • Four centuries later, in the mid-20th century, China’s government similarly encouraged people to eradicate over a billion sparrows to prevent them from depleting grain supplies.
    — Elan Abrell, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
Definition of eradicate
Verb
  • But profit for the period fell 44% as higher feed and shipping costs erased those gains.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 July 2026
  • Intel — The chipmaker's stock erased earlier gains and dropped 4%.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 July 2026
Definition of erase
Verb
  • Under the 1866 treaty, the tribe abolished slavery and granted citizenship to the formerly enslaved.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Credits have been a key to Tesla’s profitability in previous challenging quarters, but they were abolished in the United States with Musk’s blessing in 2025.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2026
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • The planters themselves get chipped, scratched, dented and, in one out of every three cases so far, destroyed.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • However, an unconfined plasma column could instantly destroy solid surfaces upon contact.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The two once presented a live demo minutes after a computer cloud crash wiped out their materials, winning anyway after Andreou pitched the product entirely from memory.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 27 June 2026
  • Widespread flooding across Kentucky has left at least four dead Saturday, prompting dozens of rescues after heavy rains wiped out bridges, inundated roads and flooded homes, with more significant rainfall on the way.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Definition of wipe out
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.

Browse Nearby Words

sweep
sweep (away)
sweeping
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Cite this Entry

“Sweep (away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep%20%28away%29. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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