sweeping

1 of 2

noun

sweep·​ing ˈswē-piŋ 

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 2

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• broad
• deep
• expansive
• extended
• extensive
• far-flung
• far-reaching
• rangy
• wide
• wide-ranging
• widespread

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

Noun

Having won the election and sweeping to power, Republicans are planning an ambitious 100-day agenda with President-elect Donald Trump in the White House and GOP lawmakers in a congressional majority to accomplish their policy goals. —Royce Branning, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2024

Vendors threw open their shops, scrubbing and frying and sweeping. —Kayla Aletha Welch, Longreads, 19 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Some of the book’s sweeping claims seem not entirely justified by the evidence. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024

The resolution of Smirnov's case also clears the way for Weiss to formally wrap up his yearslong investigation that resulted in two separate felony convictions of Hunter Biden, which were tossed last week after the president issued a sweeping pardon of his son. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sweeping

• sweeping victory

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