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

Under top leader To Lam, who has pursued sweeping growth-oriented reforms, Vietnam has formally embraced the blockchain industry and is gradually asserting control over the estimated $100 billion market.

From Barron's

Voters also backed sweeping democratic reforms in a referendum held alongside the election.

From BBC

Ray's work looks at how people are navigating their careers, networking and pivoting amid sweeping changes in the labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal

"There will be no victory rally despite the BNP's sweeping victory," the statement said.

From Barron's

The 88-year-old retired psychiatrist moved to the neighborhood 45 years ago for the nature, including the sweeping views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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