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)
Verb
-
Spider mites create webs and can be eradicated with miticide spray.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026 -
Just last week, a professor who taught at Harvard for 40 years slammed the school for its ideological homogeneity after finishing his last semester, saying that graduate programs were denying White male applicants on racial grounds and that Western civilization courses were being eradicated.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Faulkner’s genius doesn’t erase his vices.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Disputes also won't erase your legitimate obligations.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For the first time, more people now support abolishing the agency than oppose it.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Potential amendments could include establishing equal rights for women, abolishing the Electoral College, overturning Citizens United, and banning gerrymandering.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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In the Pacific Palisades and nearby Malibu, flames burned for 31 days, scorching 37 square miles and destroying more than 6,000 structures, most of them homes.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Show-Me state has two Democrats in Congress and four Republicans, and a map Trump posted on social media would wipe out one Democratic seat.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Sep. 2025
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The Buckeyes benefited from a pair of penalties, including a face mask call on Colin Simmons that wiped out an incomplete pass on third-and-4.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Aug. 2025
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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 15 Jan. 2026.
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