sweeping

American  

[swee-ping] / ˈswi pɪŋ /

adjective

1. of wide range or scope.

   Synonyms:

   comprehensive, broad, extensive

2. moving or passing about over a wide area.

   a sweeping glance.

3. moving, driving, or passing steadily and forcibly on.

4. (of the outcome of a contest) decisive; overwhelming; complete.

   a sweeping victory.

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noun

1. the act of a person or thing that sweeps. sweeps. sweep.

2. sweepings, matter swept swept sweep out or up, as dust, refuse, etc.

sweeping British  

/ ˈswiːpɪŋ /

adjective

1. comprehensive and wide-ranging

   sweeping reforms

2. indiscriminate or without reservations

   sweeping statements

3. decisive or overwhelming

   a sweeping victory

4. taking in a wide area

   a sweeping glance

5. driving steadily onwards, esp over a large area

   a sweeping attack

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Other Word Forms

• sweepingly adverb
• sweepingness noun

Etymology

Origin of sweeping

First recorded in 1470–80; sweep ¹ + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

A broad malaise is sweeping office life at American companies, which appear to be in a race to find inefficiencies and cut costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unlike China, it had failed to institute a sweeping censorship system when the internet was in its infancy.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a beautiful hotel with art in the lobby and a rooftop with sweeping 360-degree views.

From Salon

Pick up a sweeping brush, even if no one asked you to.

From MarketWatch

The coffee squeeze is emblematic of a broader malaise sweeping office life at American companies, which appear to be in a race to find inefficiencies and cut costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• across-the-board
• all-encompassing
• broad
• comprehensive
• exhaustive
• extensive
• radical
• thorough
• wholesale