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.
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Verb
These affordable, nutritious delicacies swept the country at around the turn of the 20th century, an early preview of a better life, with a taste that could only come from the tropics, or somewhere close to them.—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 23 June 2025 Advocates say the immigration sweeps foster fear and turmoil for immigrant workers, and create economic challenges for the industries that rely on immigrant labor.—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 23 June 2025
Noun
Immigration agents conducted a sweep Friday outside a Home Depot in Westlake, Los Angeles, setting off days of protests around the city.—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 June 2025 Chasing a sweep The Checkers and their NHL parent team, the Florida Panthers, are seeking a sweep of pro hockey’s two major championships.—Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 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
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