clean sweep
noun
1
: a victory in which one side or team wins every game, contest, etc.
The Red Sox won the series in a clean sweep.
The election was a clean sweep for local Democratic candidates.
2
: a complete change in something
The new governor has made a clean sweep of the staff in the governor's mansion.
Examples of clean sweep in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The fourth-year cornerback this week was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association, so a clean sweep would be no surprise.
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Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
This figure is expected to rise as Trump is also leading in the swing states of Michigan, Nevada and Arizona according to the agency, putting him on track for a clean sweep of the seven battleground states that were widely expected to decide the election.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Millersville assistant police chief Shawn Taylor told The Tennessean in April that Lassiter's arrest was part of operation clean sweep, saying more arrests were possible, though no additional arrests have since been announced as of press time for this story.
—Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2024
Freitas said he was encouraged and excited with the results, adding that voters have decided for a clean sweep to make positive changes in the city.
—Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clean sweep 
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Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
This figure is expected to rise as Trump is also leading in the swing states of Michigan, Nevada and Arizona according to the agency, putting him on track for a clean sweep of the seven battleground states that were widely expected to decide the election.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Millersville assistant police chief Shawn Taylor told The Tennessean in April that Lassiter's arrest was part of operation clean sweep, saying more arrests were possible, though no additional arrests have since been announced as of press time for this story.
—Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2024
Freitas said he was encouraged and excited with the results, adding that voters have decided for a clean sweep to make positive changes in the city.
—Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clean sweep
Dictionary Entries Near clean sweep
Cite this Entry
“Clean sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean%20sweep. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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