sweeping

1 of 3

noun

sweep·​ing ˈswē-piŋ How to pronounce sweeping (audio)
Synonyms of sweepingnext
1
: the act or action of one that sweeps
gave the room a good sweeping
2
sweepings plural : things collected by sweeping : refuse

sweeping

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area
b
: having a curving line or form
2
a
: extensive
sweeping reforms
b
: marked by wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion
sweeping generalities
sweepingly adverb
sweepingness noun

sweeping

3 of 3

present participle of sweep entry 1

Synonyms of sweeping

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of sweeping in a Sentence

Noun The porch needs a good sweeping. Adjective a sweeping view of the valley He dismissed the idea with a sweeping motion of his arm.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Thirty minutes of rhythmic sweeping has an incredibly reliable effect. — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 30 July 2026 The goal itself was effectively a long one-two between Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the former sweeping in a left-footed finish from a low cross by the latter. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Adjective
The president’s latest announcement on the sweeping oil deal with Venezuela comes at a critical time for the Republican Party. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026 So far, only one conviction has come out of the sweeping fraud investigation of Loretto’s former executives. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweeping

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweeping was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing sweeping

Rhymes for sweeping

See All Rhymes for sweeping

Browse Nearby Words

sweep hand
sweeping
sweeping score
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sweeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweeping. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sweeping

1 of 2 noun
sweep·​ing
1
: the act or action of one that sweeps
2
plural : things collected by sweeping

sweeping

2 of 2 adjective
1
a
: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area
b
: having a curving line or form
2
: broad sense 5
sweeping reforms
sweeping generalizations
sweepingly
ˈswē-piŋ-lē
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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