sweeping

Affecting many people or things, or covering a very wide range.

• The law introduces sweeping changes.
• She made a sweeping statement about all teenagers.
• The new director was given sweeping powers.

Similar words: wide-ranging, broad, extensive

Opposites: limited

Common phrases: sweeping changes, sweeping reforms, sweeping statement

So complete or powerful that the other side has little chance of success.

• The team won a sweeping victory.
• Her party celebrated its sweeping election win.
• The final results confirmed a sweeping defeat for the opposition.

Similar words: overwhelming, decisive

Common phrases: sweeping victory, sweeping success

Moving smoothly in one long, continuous movement.

• She made a sweeping gesture.
• Clean the window with long, sweeping movements.
• A sweeping camera motion revealed the whole valley.

Similar words: flowing

Common phrases: sweeping motion, sweeping gesture, sweeping movement

The activity of cleaning floors or other surfaces by pushing dust and dirt away with a brush.

• Sweeping is my least favorite chore.
• Daily sweeping keeps the shop floor clean.
• Who will do the sweeping after the party?

Common phrases: daily sweeping, floor sweeping

One occasion of cleaning a floor or other surface with a brush.

• The floor needs a sweeping.
• A quick sweeping removed most of the dust.
• The steps received a thorough sweeping before the guests arrived.

Common phrases: a thorough sweeping, a quick sweeping