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
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.
Recent Examples of sweeps
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Season 2 begins with the Hardacre family on the brink of transformation in 1895, as modernity sweeps into Hardacre Hall with electricity and shifting loyalties.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
As a bowing line of storms sweeps into our area from the west Tuesday night, the main danger will be straight-line wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
—Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Iran has vowed to retaliate against military vessels that enter the strait, as the US sweeps for mines in the strategic channel.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Colleyville Heritage sweeps Ryan Colleyville Heritage scored in every inning except the third as the Panthers completed a sweep of Denton Ryan 9-2 on Friday in a District 6-5A contest at Colleyville Heritage High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
In addition, a helicopter shot in the teaser sweeps low over Oyster Bay, dropping Miranda and Andy at a sprawling waterfront compound that eagle-eyed viewers—or real estate insiders—may recognize as the former estate of Billy Joel.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
After less-than-stellar starts to their seasons, both the San Diego State and USD baseball teams had three-game conference sweeps at home last week.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
The roofline sweeps low and sleek.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The September 2025 order cleared the way for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume broad sweeps in Los Angeles, halting a lower court ruling that restricted ICE's practices.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Another study in the series, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine in March, found that encampment sweeps and frequent displacement were associated with poorer physical and psychological health among unhoused people in Los Angeles.
—Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Reporters identified more than 300 protesters and bystanders who were arrested by federal agents during immigration sweeps and were accused of crimes such as assaulting or interfering with law enforcement.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
Immigration sweeps peaked in Orange County’s most populous city last summer with at least 30 detainments between mid-June and mid-September, including when federal officers descended several times on car washes and a Home Depot, ending in several deportations.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Seal gaps beneath doors with door sweeps.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
The Badgers lost six straight contests at one point — weekend sweeps by Penn State, Michigan State and Minnesota.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Since rats can’t chew through metal bristles, these provide better protection than standard rubber sweeps.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Season 2 begins with the Hardacre family on the brink of transformation in 1895, as modernity sweeps into Hardacre Hall with electricity and shifting loyalties.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
As a bowing line of storms sweeps into our area from the west Tuesday night, the main danger will be straight-line wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
—Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Iran has vowed to retaliate against military vessels that enter the strait, as the US sweeps for mines in the strategic channel.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Colleyville Heritage sweeps Ryan Colleyville Heritage scored in every inning except the third as the Panthers completed a sweep of Denton Ryan 9-2 on Friday in a District 6-5A contest at Colleyville Heritage High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
In addition, a helicopter shot in the teaser sweeps low over Oyster Bay, dropping Miranda and Andy at a sprawling waterfront compound that eagle-eyed viewers—or real estate insiders—may recognize as the former estate of Billy Joel.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
After less-than-stellar starts to their seasons, both the San Diego State and USD baseball teams had three-game conference sweeps at home last week.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
The roofline sweeps low and sleek.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Even with multiple sweeps, fans will likely wait more than two weeks for the second round.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The September 2025 order cleared the way for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume broad sweeps in Los Angeles, halting a lower court ruling that restricted ICE's practices.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Another study in the series, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine in March, found that encampment sweeps and frequent displacement were associated with poorer physical and psychological health among unhoused people in Los Angeles.
—Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Reporters identified more than 300 protesters and bystanders who were arrested by federal agents during immigration sweeps and were accused of crimes such as assaulting or interfering with law enforcement.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
Immigration sweeps peaked in Orange County’s most populous city last summer with at least 30 detainments between mid-June and mid-September, including when federal officers descended several times on car washes and a Home Depot, ending in several deportations.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Seal gaps beneath doors with door sweeps.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
The Badgers lost six straight contests at one point — weekend sweeps by Penn State, Michigan State and Minnesota.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Since rats can’t chew through metal bristles, these provide better protection than standard rubber sweeps.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweeps
Verb
-
Carbios reported a financial loss of about $12 million, reflecting lower income from cash investments, interest flows with subsidiaries, interest paid on loans and a non-cash impairment provision.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The cost spiked due to a slowdown in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for oil shipments through which one-fifth of the world's oil supply normally flows.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Designed by renowned architect Peter Zumthor, the sculptural design is a 900-foot-long, horizontal, glass and concrete structure that curves and stretches along Hancock Park and across Wilshire Boulevard.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In another panel, a man and child walk away from the town along a railroad track that curves up and to the left, and then disappears.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Set clear expectations and timelines so nothing drifts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mesa de Frades The traditional, melancholic music drifts through the streets of Alfama each evening, and gives guests a deeper understanding of the heart of the city.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Men in khaki stood with scopes on rooftops nearby, and questions among newer protesters circulated.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Jonathan Cook testified that police also found 100 other firearms, scopes and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the late '70s disco hit Stayin' Alive fills the Addison dance studio, instructor Maya Apodaca glides across the floor.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mortal Kombat 2 will focus on the Mortal Kombat tournament, the big battle in which warriors from different realms face off against one another in a fight to the bloody finish.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
For Aristotle, relationships are a portal into the realms of the vast and mysterious universe.—
Ross Channing Reed,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the far reaches of Nebraska, at Fort Robinson State Park, visitors trot along on horseback.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Out there in the vast depths of space, from our Solar System to the farthest reaches of the Universe, all sorts of objects can be found.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pressure washers are graded by their pressure ranges.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The figures are given in ranges so a precise value wasn't disclosed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweeps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweeps. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
