SWEEP AWAY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sweep away mean? 

• SWEEP AWAY (verb)
  The verb SWEEP AWAY has 2 senses:

1. eliminate completely and without a trace

2. overwhelm emotionally

  Familiarity information: SWEEP AWAY used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SWEEP AWAY (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Eliminate completely and without a trace

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

sweep away; wipe out

Context example:

The old values have been wiped out

Hypernyms (to "sweep away" is one way to...):

destroy; destruct (do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Overwhelm emotionally

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

sweep away; sweep off

Context example:

Her swept her away

Hypernyms (to "sweep away" is one way to...):

affect; impress; move; strike (have an emotional or cognitive impact upon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

 Context examples 

The wall carries rocks, mud, and rubble and can sweep away most things in its path.

(Floods, Federal Emergency Management Agency)