SWEEP Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'sweep' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sweep are compass , gamut , orbit , range , and scope . While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. // the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

Q: When is 'compass' a more appropriate choice than 'sweep'?

In some situations, the words compass and sweep are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. // your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Q: When could 'gamut' be used to replace 'sweep'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sweep , gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. // a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Q: In what contexts can 'orbit' take the place of 'sweep'?

While the synonyms orbit and sweep are close in meaning, 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

Q: When might 'range' be a better fit than 'sweep'?

The words range and sweep can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: When can 'scope' be used instead of 'sweep'?

The words scope and sweep are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. // as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

sweep 1 of 2

verb

ˈswēp

Definition of sweep

as in to flow

to move or proceed smoothly and readily the wind swept across the plain without respite

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to curve

to turn away from a straight line or course from this point the mountain range sweeps to the northeast and extends into the next state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straighten

sweep

2 of 2

noun

as in scope

an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sweep differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sweep are compass, gamut, orbit, range, and scope. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

When is compass a more appropriate choice than sweep?

In some situations, the words compass and sweep are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When could gamut be used to replace sweep?

While in some cases nearly identical to sweep, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

In what contexts can orbit take the place of sweep?

While the synonyms orbit and sweep are close in meaning, 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

When might range be a better fit than sweep?

The words range and sweep can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can scope be used instead of sweep?

The words scope and sweep are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of sweep

Verb

The state that launched him to the White House was predominantly white and Republican, an arsenal of the Cold War and the birthplace of a grass-roots anti-tax movement that swept the nation. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Florida's western Panhandle is still recovering four days after Hurricane Isaias swept through the area as a Category 2 storm. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Noun

At Colin King’s new Manhattan apartment, on the 11th floor of a 1930 Chelsea building, casement windows and a generous terrace look out across neighboring rooftops, the city unfolding in a postcard-perfect sweep. — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026 Milwaukee pulled off a four-game sweep of the Dodgers, capping their domination with a 6-4 victory at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweep

Verb

The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
The program could also be targeted rather than universal — triggered by sector-specific unemployment spikes, income level, or geography, so the money flows first to the workers AI disrupts most.

— Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of flow

Verb

Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long.

— Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of curve

Noun

Nondisclosure agreements aren’t an unusual part of above-the-line workers and crew members agreeing to come aboard a film production, though the scope of their contents can vastly vary.

— Jackson Murphy, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
Mixing different optics and filters in twin-scope mode isn't possible yet.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of scope

Verb

The autumn sun is drifting southward and the angle of shadows is shifting.

— Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
His attention drifts towards intimate details – the bare armpit, the small hollow at the base of Rafael’s neck – and the music follows him into this increasingly private, almost obsessive fascination.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of drift

Verb

Why can’t the body content itself with stillness, leavened, perhaps, by the fluttering of fingers over a keyboard or the occasional arcing turn of a page?

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Édier Ocampo played an arcing entry pass from the right side to Larraz, whose header at the front post was parried by diving goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of arc

Noun

That’s understandable to an extent; institutions need to remain sustainable.

— Anand Solanki, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The Yemeni government did not immediately provide additional details about the type of missiles used or the extent of the damage at the palace complex.

— Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of extent

Noun

Fielder started in the realm of absurdist comedy, and with the Holmes project moves into a world of watercooler high crimes and compelling fourth-wall breaking.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
These bog bodies tell stories of a time when humans were sacrificed to the gods in bogs, as otherworldly margins between the human and divine realms, or when social outcasts met a cruel, violent end for failing to conform to societal standards.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of realm

Browse Nearby Words

sweaty

sweep

sweep (away)

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sweep

verb

noun

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Synonyms of sweep

verb

noun

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Phrases Containing sweep

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Cite this Entry

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