range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.
the entire range of human experience
gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.
a performance that ran the gamut of emotions
compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.
your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study
sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.
the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity
scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.
as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened
orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.
within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change
Examples of sweep in a Sentence
Verb
He swept the dirt off the driveway.
He swept the crumbs from the table.
I need to sweep the kitchen.
Are you finished sweeping the porch?
A storm swept across the plains.
Fires swept through the forest.
She proudly swept into the room.
The limo swept up to the door.
He swept the curtains aside.
She swept the books off the desk. Noun
Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople.
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Verb
Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025 Another total lunar eclipse will sweep across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe.—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
The cameras conduct 360-degree sweeps about every two minutes, and can see as far as 60 miles on clear days, and up to 120 miles on clear nights, according to the University of California, San Diego which operates California’s ALERTCalifornia public safety program and the cameras.—Edward Segal, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 Point Loma Nazarene University completed a sweep of the PacWest basketball championships Saturday afternoon, with both the men and women winning their conference tournaments in San Rafael after capturing regular-season titles.—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweep
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English swepen; akin to Old English swāpan to sweep, Old High German sweifen to wander
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