Sweeping: meaning, definitions and examples

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sweeping

 

[ หˆswiหpษชล‹ ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

cleaning

Covering a wide area in a systematic and thorough way.

Synonyms

comprehensive, extensive, thorough.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sweeping

Best used to describe broad and impactful changes or actions that affect many aspects of a situation or organization.

  • The company made sweeping changes to its policies
comprehensive

Appropriate when referring to something that covers all or nearly all aspects of a subject or area.

  • The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market trends
extensive

Used to describe something that is large in amount or scale, often in terms of coverage or range.

  • The library has an extensive collection of historical documents
thorough

Ideal for situations where something is done with great care and completeness, leaving no part unfinished.

  • She gave the house a thorough cleaning before the guests arrived

Examples of usage

  • The sweeping view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking.
  • She did a sweeping job of cleaning the entire house.
Context #2 | Noun

political

An act of bringing about sweeping changes or reforms.

Synonyms

drastic, far-reaching, radical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sweeping

Use this word when describing changes or actions that are extensive and affect many aspects. It often conveys a sense of thoroughness and might be neutral or have a positive connotation.

  • The company announced sweeping reforms to improve efficiency
  • The new law had sweeping implications for the entire industry
drastic

This word is often used when referring to very substantial and sudden changes, usually implying urgency or necessity. It can have a negative connotation if the changes are seen as severe or excessive.

  • The CEO made drastic cuts to the workforce to save the company
  • After the scandal, the politician took drastic measures to restore his reputation
far-reaching

This term is best used when changes or effects are extensive and influential, impacting a wide range of areas or people. It often emphasizes the breadth of impact.

  • The new educational policy will have far-reaching consequences for students and teachers alike
  • Climate change is expected to have far-reaching effects on global ecosystems
radical

Use this word to describe changes or actions that are fundamental, extreme, and often revolutionary. It can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the perspective.

  • The new mayor proposed radical changes to the cityโ€™s infrastructure
  • The scientist's radical ideas challenged established theories

Examples of usage

  • The new government promised to make sweeping reforms in the education system.
  • The sweeping of corruption from the political system was a challenging task.

Translations

Translations of the word "sweeping" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น varredura

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคเคพเคกเคผเฅ‚ เคฒเค—เคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช fegen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menyapu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั–ะดะผั–ั‚ะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zamiatanie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆŽƒ้™ค (ใใ†ใ˜)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท balayage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ barrido

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sรผpรผrme

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฒญ์†Œ (์ฒญ์†Œ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒู†ุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zametรกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zametanie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‰“ๆ‰ซ (dวŽsวŽo)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pometanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sรณpa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะธะฟั‹ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒฌแƒ›แƒ”แƒœแƒ“แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sรผpรผrmษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ barrido

Etymology

The word 'sweeping' originated from the Old English word 'swapan', which meant 'to clean or clear by the use of a broom'. Over time, the meaning of 'sweeping' expanded to encompass the idea of covering a wide area comprehensively. The term has been used in various contexts, including cleaning, politics, and literature, to convey the sense of thoroughness and extensive coverage.

See also: sweep, sweeper, sweepstakes.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,066 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.