Phrase guide

clean sweep

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A complete or overwhelming victory, especially one in which all or almost all possible electoral contests are won.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, politics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The winning, by a person or team, of all the possible possible prizes, games, rounds or contests, etc in a competition, season or series.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: podium sweep

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A thorough change of policies, personnel or objects, removing or replacing all or almost all of that which existed previously.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: selkeä voitto — overwhelming success
  • Finnish: pöydän puhdistus — overwhelming success
  • Hungarian: fölényes/elsöprő győzelem — overwhelming success
  • Italian: piazza pulita — overwhelming success
  • Māori: kaupapa hāro — overwhelming success
  • Polish: walne zwycięstwo — overwhelming success
  • Hungarian: teljes átalakítás — a thorough change of policies, personnel or things, removing or replacing all or almost all of what was there previously
  • Māori: āmikitanga — a thorough change of policies, personnel or things, removing or replacing all or almost all of what was there previously
  • Polish: zmiana totalna — a thorough change of policies, personnel or things, removing or replacing all or almost all of what was there previously