1
as in flowed
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 curved
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
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 swept
At the same time, her show swept five of six acting categories.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
The Wolverines finished third in league play behind conference champion Indiana and second-place Illinois, both of which swept the Wolverines and accounted for four of Michigan's six conference losses en route to a 24-7 regular season mark.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Philadelphia punks sound like they were swept off to the Middle Ages in a mosh pit and immediately started a revolution.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
At some point, the woman fell overboard and was swept by a strong current, according to police.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
On the topic of teams succeeding while waiting for stars to get untracked, Pittsburgh swept three straight from Baltimore to improve to 6-3.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Kenzel Lantano notched 10 aces, 26 assists and three digs, while Riches Tep had 16 kills and four digs as Lynn Classical (1-0) swept Wakefield 3-0 in nonleague action.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The Sea Kings setter had 20 assists when Corona del Mar swept Huntington Beach in a Sunset League match this month.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2026
Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
The Wolverines finished third in league play behind conference champion Indiana and second-place Illinois, both of which swept the Wolverines and accounted for four of Michigan's six conference losses en route to a 24-7 regular season mark.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Philadelphia punks sound like they were swept off to the Middle Ages in a mosh pit and immediately started a revolution.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
At some point, the woman fell overboard and was swept by a strong current, according to police.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
On the topic of teams succeeding while waiting for stars to get untracked, Pittsburgh swept three straight from Baltimore to improve to 6-3.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Kenzel Lantano notched 10 aces, 26 assists and three digs, while Riches Tep had 16 kills and four digs as Lynn Classical (1-0) swept Wakefield 3-0 in nonleague action.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The Sea Kings setter had 20 assists when Corona del Mar swept Huntington Beach in a Sunset League match this month.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swept
Verb
-
And from there, the rest of the show flowed, with little ebb.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Our destination was the Mississippi Canyon—an incision, now underwater, that formed roughly thirty thousand years ago, when the Mississippi flowed more than a hundred kilometres past its modern-day delta.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Arbat might even derive from gorbat (hunchback), because the road curved in and around streams.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Taking inspiration from the minds of greats such as Kaare Klint, Michael Anastassiades’s After chair is curved yet sturdy, a study on how geometry can be both playful and strong in one clean stroke.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But her heart drifted toward other activities — usually whatever her brother Treston Brazile was doing, like baseball, soccer, and basketball.—
Charles Baggarly
April 7,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Florian Wirtz was over aggressive in his initial press and then lacked urgency to help balance out City’s right-side overload, while neither Curtis Jones or Ryan Gravenberch drifted across.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Standing with his 13-year-old son, Liam, in the plaza at the foot of the Imperial Beach Pier on a clear Wednesday morning, Henry bowed his head to pray before paddling out.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The film bowed in competition at the Berlinale and opened the Hong Kong International Film Festival.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rice then hit a potential double-play grounder to first baseman Connor Norby, but Norby’s throw sailed past the shortstop Lopez at second base, allowing Judge to score as the Yankees took a 4-1 lead.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In 1776 — not 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue.—
Sarah Hearon,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All of the edges were rounded, creating a very smart appearance.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Frances rounded out the group in a bubblegum pink tweed frock studded with bows and white Mary Jane shoes.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the crowd stayed to watch as six hundred young skiers—many of whom were little girls, with glitter on their cheeks—glided around the ski track in the stadium and then stood there in a phalanx, an honor guard as Diggins took a ceremonial last lap.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2026
-
After Joel Edmundson stepped up to hit Benson, Carrick scooped up the loose puck and glided across the crease for a backhand goal.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps in his quiet time, Leo has slipped on the size 52 jersey, just for fun.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Contracts for homes above $10 million rose sharply in the first quarter, even as overall deal volume slipped.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swept. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
