Past tense for to brush off or away, typically dirt or litter
“The heaviest burdens lay on city work crews, who had to sweep dirt from the gutters and municipal swimming pools.”
Past tense for to arc or turn away from a straight line or course
“Mountains sweep across the horizon to the south and east, ranging far and wide above the trees.”
Past tense for to move or proceed with a given movement or momentum
“Occasionally, a breeze would sweep across the knoll, suggesting movement when there was none.”
Past tense for to move (through an area or place) swiftly
“In the meantime, another fresh army would sweep down the Belgian coast behind the Allies' flank.”
Past tense for to spread (through an area or place) widely
“A fire would sweep through the forest, taking out large numbers of trees and shrubs.”
Past tense for to engulf or affect (an area or place) swiftly and widely
“The stage had been set for the rise of big-band swing that would sweep the nation in the mid-1930s.”
Past tense for to move or push (someone or something) with great force
“He allowed the crowd to sweep him along in their stampede, helpless to do anything else, and was carried outside.”
Past tense for to search or scan for something
“Snake then carefully avoids the search tower spotlights which sweep the area under the beady eye of the armed guards.”
Past tense for to move in a proud and majestic fashion
“She would sweep into the room like a queen with a rustle of silk petticoats, and immediately backs were straightened, heads went up, and we tried to stand like guardsmen on parade.”
Past tense for to move in a playful or exaggerated manner
Past tense for to look over or scrutinize, especially a wide area
Past tense for to sway unsteadily from one side to the other
Past tense for to touch or come into contact with lightly and typically fleetingly
Past tense for to move or be moved in a particular direction by water
Past tense for to push roughly
Past tense for to go or move in an exaggeratedly impatient or angry manner
Past tense for to hit repeatedly with small missiles or gunshot
Past tense for to aimlessly move or drift from place to place
Past tense for to move somewhere in a slow and steady way
(especially of waves) Past tense for to sweep or splash in a particular direction
(often "triumph over") Past tense for to prevail over rivals, challenges, or difficulties
Past tense for to maintain one's household
Past tense for to move (someone or something) from one place to another
Past tense for to move through the water in a boat using a paddle or paddles
Related Words and Phrases
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