Sweepingly
/ˈswiːpɪŋli/noun
In a sweeping manner; broadly, comprehensively, or with wide-ranging effect.
Did you know?Its core verb, sweep, comes from Old English swāpan, a word tied to moving with a broad, forceful stroke—so even the adverb still feels like motion turned into language.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
swāpan
“to sweep, brush aside, move with a broad stroke”
Middle English
ME
swepen / swepen
“to sweep, clear away with a broom or broad movement”
Old English
OE
-līċe
“adverbial suffix meaning "in the manner of"”
Middle English
ME
swepingly
“in a sweeping manner; broadly”
Modern English
EN
sweepingly
“broadly, comprehensively, or with wide-ranging effect”