SWEEPING Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

sweeping 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sweeping

as in broad

having considerable extent calls for sweeping changes in the way the nation manages security in its major ports

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sweeping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sweep

as in flowing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in curving

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

straightening

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 sweeping

Adjective

The characters wear muted, sweeping gowns, their hair often loose. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 The sentence closes a criminal case that grew from an endangerment arrest into a sweeping prosecution tied to multiple deaths and reshaped how Texas regulates unlicensed care homes and the agents who steer older adults into them. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Cartier topped the ring category with the Love sweeping into first place, followed by the Hermès Chaine d’Ancre Enchainee and the Chanel Coco Crush. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 After sweeping both the Mystics in the first round and Liberty in the semifinals of the playoffs, the Dream have reflected on their journey. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweeping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweeping

Adjective

By contrast, long-term investing remains focused on owning productive assets, participating in economic growth and aligning investment decisions with broader financial objectives.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Instead, Hugo says the case encompasses a much broader body of work stemming from compositions the two created during nearly 50 studio sessions between 2019 and 2021.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of broad

Verb

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
Elsewhere, the opposition are man-to-man across the pitch, with full-backs ready to jump forward and McBurnie curving his run to block out the short pass to Tyrone Mings.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of curving

Adjective

The certification follows extensive safety assessments, design reviews, and ground testing.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
China has backed its ambitions with extensive reforms that are explicitly meant to strengthen intellectual property protections.

— Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of extensive

Verb

Three-times married, his was to be a literary career pock-marked by substance abuse issues leading to a peripatetic existence drifting from one august institution to another.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Toxic haze has covered parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for weeks as Jakarta struggles to contain fires that have scorched large tracts of Borneo and Sumatra, with the smoke drifting across the region.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of drifting

Adjective

There’s a wide array of highly capable performance cars available at this price point, many of which offer eye-watering output and acceleration figures.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Advertisement The protests are also occurring amid a wider crisis of political confidence in the country.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of wide

Verb

With a pair of real horns, one of them plays the bull by gliding toward the fuchsia bullfighting cape.

— Eyder Peralta, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
The Rangers announced the devastating news on Saturday following a scary injury in which the 30-year-old’s right skate jammed into the post while gliding across his crease in the first period.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of gliding

Adjective

Both have built much of their appeal on opposition to the political establishment, the promise to wish away budget constraints, and deep hostility toward the European Union.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Acting was his guiding passion, but his deep love for the avant-garde helped till the ground for the city’s theatrical renaissance that the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival catalyzed.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026