sweeping

/ˈswiːpɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈswiːpɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈswē-piŋ/ (ame, mw)

sweeping — adjective

  • sweepingpositive
  • more sweepingcomparative
  • most sweepingsuperlative

1. relating to or having a large effect on many people, places, or things across a

1.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to or having a large effect on many people, places, or things across a wide range

例句

The new law had sweeping effects on the country's education system.

collocation: sweeping effects on [noun]

Karim's report proposed sweeping changes to the company's hiring practices.

同義詞
反義詞
  • limited

    restricted in scope or effect

  • narrow

    affecting only a small range of things

文法句型

sweeping + noun (effect/change/reform/improvement)

用法筆記

Frequently used in news and political writing. The noun following 'sweeping' is usually an abstract noun describing a broad category of change (reform, overhaul, cut, ban).

常見錯誤

❌The new policy was sweeping across the whole company.
✅The new policy had sweeping effects across the whole company.
💡'sweeping' in this sense is an adjective modifying a noun; it is not a verb meaning 'to spread across.'

2. describing a statement, opinion, or criticism that is unreasonably broad and doe

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a statement, opinion, or criticism that is unreasonably broad and does not consider specific details or individual differences

例句

Mateo dismissed his criticism as a sweeping statement that ignored the facts.

collocation: sweeping statement

The article made sweeping claims about the entire generation without evidence.

collocation: sweeping claims

同義詞
  • blanket

    more informal, as in 'blanket statement'

  • wholesale

    implies indiscriminate rejection or acceptance

  • unqualified

    emphasises lack of conditions or exceptions

反義詞
  • specific

    precise and detailed rather than broad

  • nuanced

    carefully considering distinctions and exceptions

文法句型

sweeping + noun (statement/generalization/claim/accusation/remark)

用法筆記

Almost always negative in tone. The speaker or writer using this sense is criticising someone else's statement for being unfairly broad. Common in academic and argumentative contexts.

常見錯誤

❌That is a sweeping.
✅That is a sweeping statement.
💡In this sense 'sweeping' must be followed by a noun such as 'statement', 'generalization', or 'claim.'
❌She made a sweeping about all politicians.
✅She made a sweeping statement about all politicians.
💡'sweeping' cannot stand alone as a noun in this meaning.

3. covering or extending across a very wide physical area; taking in a broad range

3.形容詞B2
釋義

covering or extending across a very wide physical area; taking in a broad range of space in a single movement or look

例句

From the hilltop, they had a sweeping view of the valley below.

collocation: sweeping view

The camera captured a sweeping panorama of the desert at sunset.

同義詞
  • panoramic

    specifically of views; suggests a 360-degree or very wide vista

  • wide

    simpler and more general word for broad coverage

  • broad

    emphasises horizontal extent

反義詞

文法句型

sweeping + noun (view/panorama/gesture/look/glance)

用法筆記

Often used with nouns related to sight (view, panorama, look, glance) or arm movement (gesture). The focus is on the physical breadth of space being covered rather than abstract scale.

常見錯誤

❌She made a sweeping view of all the problems.
✅From the balcony, she had a sweeping view of the gardens.
💡'sweeping view' refers to a physical vista, not a mental overview of issues.

4. forming a long, smooth curved line or shape rather than being straight or having

4.形容詞B2
釋義

forming a long, smooth curved line or shape rather than being straight or having sharp angles

例句

A sweeping staircase led guests from the lobby up to the ballroom.

collocation: sweeping staircase

The river took a sweeping curve around the old castle walls.

collocation: sweeping curve

同義詞
  • curved

    more general; does not imply the same graceful length

  • graceful

    adds an aesthetic judgement of elegance

  • flowing

    emphasises smooth, uninterrupted motion

反義詞
  • straight

    having no curves or bends

  • angular

    having sharp corners rather than smooth curves

文法句型

sweeping + noun (staircase/curve/arch/turn/line)

常見錯誤

❌The road has a sweeping straight section.
✅The road has a sweeping curve.
💡A 'sweeping' shape is curved, not straight.

5. used to describe a win, victory, or success that is complete, decisive, and achi

5.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a win, victory, or success that is complete, decisive, and achieved by a very large margin or with widespread support

例句

The party won a sweeping victory in the national elections last November.

collocation: sweeping victory

Leo's team achieved a sweeping 5-0 win in the championship final.

同義詞
  • decisive

    emphasises that the outcome leaves no doubt

  • resounding

    suggests emphatic and unmistakable victory

  • overwhelming

    stresses the size of the winning margin

反義詞
  • narrow

    won by a very small margin, e.g. 'narrow victory'

  • close

    nearly tied or uncertain until the end

文法句型

sweeping + noun (victory/win/majority/approval/praise)

用法筆記

Only used before nouns describing the outcome of a contest, election, or vote. Not used for personal achievements ('sweeping exam results') or physical activities ('sweeping goal').

常見錯誤

❌She achieved a sweeping in the competition.
✅She achieved a sweeping victory in the competition.
💡The noun (victory, win, majority) must be included after 'sweeping'.

sweeping — noun