1
as in flows
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
the wind swept across the plain without respite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curves
to turn away from a straight line or course
from this point the mountain range sweeps to the northeast and extends into the next state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in confines
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sweeps
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Brewer sweeps Burleson to reach regional semis Fort Worth Brewer jumped out to a 6-run lead and then held off Burleson 7-4 to win Game 2 on Thursday and sweep their Class 5A Division II area-round series that was held at Mansfield High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
Why not try and capture an image of the moon during each major phase (excluding the new moon) as the line separating night from day sweeps across the lunar surface throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
From the crest—literally, the top of Crest Road—the view sweeps from the Bay Bridge across the full San Francisco skyline and out to the Golden Gate Bridge, then toward Sausalito and Mount Tamalpais.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Expanding removal sweeps for children who were never in danger inflicts unnecessary trauma without justification.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Storms could turn severe late Thursday as a cold front sweeps through Kansas City, bringing a high risk of damaging winds.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
This sweeps bacteria, food, and other debris toward your colon, and repeats the process every 90 to 120 minutes, Farhadi says.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Apparent tornadoes touched down in the Midwest on Friday and a weekend flooding risk remains as roller-coaster weather sweeps the country, with some states experiencing summer-like temperatures in the middle of spring.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Their regional of Fordham, South Florida and Washington — which ended the regular season with three straight series losses, two of which were sweeps — looks like a set of nice matchups.
—Molly Keshin, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The last time the Cubs had at least two four-game sweeps within their first 38 games was 1920.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
The other was given to the staff of The Chicago Tribune for their chronicles of ICE sweeps of their city.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 4 May 2026
Both the Padres and Dodgers had lost four in a row before avoiding sweeps on Sunday.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
The government actually deported more than six hundred and seventy-five thousand people, but getting just to that number involved broad and violent sweeps and the expulsion of people who were in the country legally, actions that led to widespread protests.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
The Rockies have two sweeps in their first nine series this season, also taking three games against Houston from April 6-8.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
There are very few series that have the potential to be sweeps.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
The demonstration also touched on various issues that Americans have been facing including the rising cost of food and gas due in part to tariffs, the war in Iran and immigration sweeps that experts have said contributed to a shortage of agricultural workers.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Brewer sweeps Burleson to reach regional semis Fort Worth Brewer jumped out to a 6-run lead and then held off Burleson 7-4 to win Game 2 on Thursday and sweep their Class 5A Division II area-round series that was held at Mansfield High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
Why not try and capture an image of the moon during each major phase (excluding the new moon) as the line separating night from day sweeps across the lunar surface throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
From the crest—literally, the top of Crest Road—the view sweeps from the Bay Bridge across the full San Francisco skyline and out to the Golden Gate Bridge, then toward Sausalito and Mount Tamalpais.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Expanding removal sweeps for children who were never in danger inflicts unnecessary trauma without justification.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Storms could turn severe late Thursday as a cold front sweeps through Kansas City, bringing a high risk of damaging winds.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
This sweeps bacteria, food, and other debris toward your colon, and repeats the process every 90 to 120 minutes, Farhadi says.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Apparent tornadoes touched down in the Midwest on Friday and a weekend flooding risk remains as roller-coaster weather sweeps the country, with some states experiencing summer-like temperatures in the middle of spring.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
In more than 10 seasons as GM, the Nets are 347-481 with five playoff appearances, four first-round exits, two playoff sweeps, and two lottery picks.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Their regional of Fordham, South Florida and Washington — which ended the regular season with three straight series losses, two of which were sweeps — looks like a set of nice matchups.
—Molly Keshin, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The last time the Cubs had at least two four-game sweeps within their first 38 games was 1920.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
The other was given to the staff of The Chicago Tribune for their chronicles of ICE sweeps of their city.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 4 May 2026
Both the Padres and Dodgers had lost four in a row before avoiding sweeps on Sunday.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
The government actually deported more than six hundred and seventy-five thousand people, but getting just to that number involved broad and violent sweeps and the expulsion of people who were in the country legally, actions that led to widespread protests.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
The Rockies have two sweeps in their first nine series this season, also taking three games against Houston from April 6-8.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
There are very few series that have the potential to be sweeps.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweeps
Verb
-
But molten rock flows through all of them, and eventually, something cracks, breaks, and explodes.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
Each evening, live music flows from the dining room onto Ocean Drive, where a percussionist, guitarist, and vocalist’s sounds invite diners for an impromptu salsa dance session.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The Page style has a narrow slingback strap, a slim stiletto heel and an open front that curves into a small, petal-like peep-toe rather than a sharp cutout.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
At the top right is the head of the dry river bed — where the life-size heron statue is — and the bed curves down to the driveway on the left.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The song slowly drifts away, its job completed.—
Ben Cardew,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
-
In this haunting and visually inventive documentary, a spectral voice drifts through time and memory to trace the Maidan revolution and the roots of resistance in Ukraine.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During their recent visit, the three docents set up scopes to zoom in on the nest.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
The Orion Nebula, a showpiece easily visible in small scopes or binoculars below Orion’s Belt, is a bright eyepiece-filling gem.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Footage shows the lovebird riding high inside a clear cabin attached to a drone, as the contraption glides through the air before gently descending toward the ground.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Brazzell is a 6-foot-4, 198-pound target who glides by his opposing corners with ease.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the first Mortal Kombat film, Outworld sorcerer Shang Tsung (Chin Han) seeks to eliminate Earth's champions ahead of the ultimate tournament between realms.—
Nigel Smith,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
There was some interesting stuff in my mom’s boyfriend’s closet, but no gateways to other realms.—
Mac Barnett,
Longreads,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Although hantavirus cases once were limited to the southern reaches of Patagonia, now 83% of cases are found in Argentina’s far north, according to the Health Ministry.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Beyond the reaches of Neptune, the outskirts of our solar system are teeming with thousands of icy celestial bodies like Pluto.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
After all, the brand is synonymous with high-quality pigments and innovative finishes, inclusive color ranges, and the kind of skin-like finish that blurs the line between backstage artistry and everyday luxury.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
-
The mineral water contains 13 minerals and ranges from 35 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweeps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweeps. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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