range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.
the entire range of human experience
gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.
a performance that ran the gamut of emotions
compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.
your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study
sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.
the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity
scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.
as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened
orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.
within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change
Examples of sweep in a Sentence
Verb
He swept the dirt off the driveway.
He swept the crumbs from the table.
I need to sweep the kitchen.
Are you finished sweeping the porch?
A storm swept across the plains.
Fires swept through the forest.
She proudly swept into the room.
The limo swept up to the door.
He swept the curtains aside.
She swept the books off the desk. Noun
Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople.
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.
Verb
Southwest Airlines Pilot Arrested, Charged with DUI Before Takeoff: Reports
The aircraft and luggage were then swept for explosives before the plane departed, per ABC News.—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025 The violence broke out during the sixth straight day of demonstrations sweeping across the L.A. area and beyond, ABC 7 reported.—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
Tennessee can pull off a sweep of Kentucky with a win on Tuesday night in Rupp Arena after the Volunteers trimmed the Wildcats 78-73 on Jan. 28 in Knoxville, Tenn.—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 11 Feb. 2025 Only two other artists have scored such fivefold sweeps: Luke Combs (three times) and Kane Brown (once).—Jim Asker, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sweep
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English swepen; akin to Old English swāpan to sweep, Old High German sweifen to wander
Share