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
Synonyms
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
Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025
The new measures, which include sprinkling water with dust suppressants on roads, as well as mechanized sweeping that would help settle dust, came into effect on Friday morning.
—Reuters, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Miles Parks, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
Canadian officials have been talking to incoming Trump administration officials about increasing border security in an effort to avoid a sweeping 25% tariff that Trump has threatened to impose on all Canadian products.
—Jim Morris, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sweeping 
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Noun
Trump’s sweeping of the seven battleground states and winning the popular vote indicated dissatisfaction from the American public with Democrats.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025
The new measures, which include sprinkling water with dust suppressants on roads, as well as mechanized sweeping that would help settle dust, came into effect on Friday morning.
—Reuters, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
But for the wing of the Republican Party that has been pushing sweeping election reform since the 2020 contest, the work continues.
—Miles Parks, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
Canadian officials have been talking to incoming Trump administration officials about increasing border security in an effort to avoid a sweeping 25% tariff that Trump has threatened to impose on all Canadian products.
—Jim Morris, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sweeping
Dictionary Entries Near sweeping
Cite this Entry
“Sweeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweeping. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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