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
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
The black or clear micro-mascara brush evenly sweeps the clear formula through each lash for grip and definition, while the precision clear seal tip targets the base to seal it all in for a seamless finish and natural look.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 25 Sep. 2025
Mel picks her up wearing a suit and sweeps her away in a Rolls Royce to a romantic, candlelit dinner.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
As the summer crowds fade and cooler air sweeps in at America's national parks, the trails feel more inviting and the landscapes take on a fresh beauty.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
If temperatures drop again below freezing or, in the extreme case, a polar vortex sweeps through, plants get damaged.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Ramos revealed how the sculptures come to life, pulsating with emotion, as light sweeps through a cycle to mimic the day-to-night transition, from soft dawn gold, to midday clarity, to the dusk’s warmth, and into the retreat of night.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Install door sweeps or thresholds on all exterior entry doors.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
The Prop 50 map would cut through the suburbs south of Sacramento’s urban core and put Florin in a district that sweeps northeast to include Folsom and Lake Tahoe.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Leonardo Garcia Venegas was detained twice in construction site sweeps.
—Ely Brown, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
But although the months between September 2024 and August 2025 may have been light on the kind of superstar releases that seem preordained for Grammy sweeps, plenty of other contenders have emerged — and in such circumstances, obvious choices are in short supply.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
About one-third of Polis’s $252 million in cuts and sweeps of unused funds came from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which oversees Medicaid.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
San Diego cleaning crews clear thousands of homeless encampments each year, and the city has a process for storing and returning certain valuable belongings seized during those sweeps.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Make sure screens and door sweeps are intact.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Officials were strategic about enforcing these statutes, conducting daily arrests throughout the year, and major sweeps in autumn.
—Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The senators’ visit to North Chicago came as the city and suburbs braced for immigration sweeps and many also continued protesting, including dozens outside an ICE processing center in Broadview Friday morning.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
The music sweeps us up in the queasy thrill of revolt, but also in the heat and momentum of an impetuous romance.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
The black or clear micro-mascara brush evenly sweeps the clear formula through each lash for grip and definition, while the precision clear seal tip targets the base to seal it all in for a seamless finish and natural look.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 25 Sep. 2025
Mel picks her up wearing a suit and sweeps her away in a Rolls Royce to a romantic, candlelit dinner.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
As the summer crowds fade and cooler air sweeps in at America's national parks, the trails feel more inviting and the landscapes take on a fresh beauty.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
If temperatures drop again below freezing or, in the extreme case, a polar vortex sweeps through, plants get damaged.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Ramos revealed how the sculptures come to life, pulsating with emotion, as light sweeps through a cycle to mimic the day-to-night transition, from soft dawn gold, to midday clarity, to the dusk’s warmth, and into the retreat of night.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Install door sweeps or thresholds on all exterior entry doors.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
The Prop 50 map would cut through the suburbs south of Sacramento’s urban core and put Florin in a district that sweeps northeast to include Folsom and Lake Tahoe.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Seal cracks and entry points, apply residual insecticide before sealing and install door sweeps, weather-stripping and vent screens.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Leonardo Garcia Venegas was detained twice in construction site sweeps.
—Ely Brown, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
But although the months between September 2024 and August 2025 may have been light on the kind of superstar releases that seem preordained for Grammy sweeps, plenty of other contenders have emerged — and in such circumstances, obvious choices are in short supply.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
About one-third of Polis’s $252 million in cuts and sweeps of unused funds came from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which oversees Medicaid.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
San Diego cleaning crews clear thousands of homeless encampments each year, and the city has a process for storing and returning certain valuable belongings seized during those sweeps.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Make sure screens and door sweeps are intact.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Officials were strategic about enforcing these statutes, conducting daily arrests throughout the year, and major sweeps in autumn.
—Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The senators’ visit to North Chicago came as the city and suburbs braced for immigration sweeps and many also continued protesting, including dozens outside an ICE processing center in Broadview Friday morning.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweeps
Verb
-
Air flows through modular containers filled with these coated filters.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Although SoCal Edison can prevent electrical fires by shutting off the power that flows through the lines, the utility did not turn the power off to most circuits that power Altadena.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the example below, Ilkay Gundogan curves his run to prevent Alisson from passing back to Virgil van Dijk, while Victor Osimhen’s presence puts goalkeeper Alisson off passing to Ibrahima Konate or Dominik Szoboszlai.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The mortality curves from Gompertz models associated with the three migratory strategies are presented on panel A–C—the death rates m(x) (gray dots) are also presented.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Every October, when Earth drifts through the dusty trail left behind by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, the Draconids make their cosmic comeback.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Pack ice, a type of free-floating ice that drifts on the open ocean, surrounds Antarctica.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
At launch, there will be 18 maps to compete on and 30 weapons to unlock, with dozens of customization options allowing users to fine tune their guns’ scopes, grips, barrels, and more.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
-
They can also be modified to accommodate different rounds, scopes and lighter stocks made of fiberglass.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Gilbert glides through 6 for Seattle Gilbert carried the majors’ biggest workload last year, with 208 2/3 innings.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The addition of hydrating ingredients like glycerin gives the formula a silky, fast-absorbing texture that glides on smoothly and layers under moisturizer without a hint of greasiness.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This month invites you into the realms of emotional mastery and deep inner work.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Even more troubling, the attacks escalated into more personal realms, with Minaj making disparaging comments about Cardi B’s pregnancy, and mentioning her children explicitly.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Typically, northern gardeners plant bare-root peonies in the ground in September, and mid-latitude gardeners plant in October or even into early November in the southern reaches of the peony’s range.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The brassy fanfare of mariachi music was first played in the region’s rural reaches and popularized in Guadalajara’s handsome plazas.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By comparison, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)—missiles and rockets currently used by both launchers—have ranges of up to 186 miles and 93 miles, respectively, according to Lockheed Martin.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
There are hundreds of models available in all shapes, sizes, and (most frighteningly) price ranges.—
Taylor Fox,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sweeps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweeps. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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