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
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
Maria Sacchetti Andjacqueline Alemany The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 3 Aug. 2024
The sham citations claimed that residents had not moved their vehicles for scheduled street sweeping, which immediately raised red flags for those familiar with the local parking schedule.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024
Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 12 Aug. 2024
The real pièce de résistance is the swimming pool on the main deck, though: The striking body of water is flanked by sun beds and affords sweeping vistas out to sea.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sweeping 
Noun
The office also urged the agency to improve protocols for bomb sweepings and ordnance removal, and to ensure adequate procedures are in place for conducting internal reviews.
—Maria Sacchetti Andjacqueline Alemany The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 3 Aug. 2024
The sham citations claimed that residents had not moved their vehicles for scheduled street sweeping, which immediately raised red flags for those familiar with the local parking schedule.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024
Adjective
Russian authorities imposed a sweeping counter-terror operation in three border regions – Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk – but stopped short of declaring the incursion an act of war.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 12 Aug. 2024
The real pièce de résistance is the swimming pool on the main deck, though: The striking body of water is flanked by sun beds and affords sweeping vistas out to sea.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sweeping
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sweeping.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sweeping
Cite this Entry
“Sweeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweeping. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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