sweep out
phrasal verb
swept out; sweeping out; sweeps out
1
: to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) by using a broom or brush
Please sweep out the room when you're done working.
2
: to push, carry, or lift (someone or something) with great force
The debris was swept out to sea by the tide.
Examples of sweep out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2012, José Alvarenga, an El Salvadoran fisherman working in Mexico, was swept out to sea by a storm and survived 438 days alone in a small boat.
—
Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2025
Athan Lau's family uses red decorations to sweep out bad luck from the past year.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
Although Paiz gradually became more vocal in expressing the unhappiness of his members, he was swept out of office in March, an unusual step for members of that group.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
The wildfires that swept out of Eaton Canyon this month were terrifying, swift and fierce.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sweep out 
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Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2025
Athan Lau's family uses red decorations to sweep out bad luck from the past year.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
Although Paiz gradually became more vocal in expressing the unhappiness of his members, he was swept out of office in March, an unusual step for members of that group.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
The wildfires that swept out of Eaton Canyon this month were terrifying, swift and fierce.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sweep out
Dictionary Entries Near sweep out
Cite this Entry
“Sweep out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep%20out. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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