sweep away

verb

swept away; sweeping away; sweeps away
Synonyms of sweep awaynext
: to destroy or remove (something) completely
Floods swept away several houses.
His performance today swept away any doubts about his ability to play.

Examples of sweep away in a Sentence

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.
In July 2025, floods swept away the bridge connecting it with Nepal’s Rasuwa Port, suspending goods trade for roughly six months, state media reported at the time. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 On Wednesday, a massive ice-rock avalanche triggered flash floods in Nepal’s steep Himalayan valleys, killing at least 72 people, sweeping away villages and roads, and leaving hundreds of residents and travelers missing. — Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Videos broadcast by regional news outlets and posted on social media show violent torrents of water surging through valleys and mountain passes, tearing down bridges and dams and sweeping away buildings. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 Officials have since confirmed that nine bridges and nearly 40 kilometers of road were swept away. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweep away

Rhymes for sweep away

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Browse Nearby Words

sweep aside
sweep away
sweepback
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Cite this Entry

“Sweep away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep%20away. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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