Windswept describes something that has been shaped, pushed, or changed by strong winds over time. A windswept beach might have sand dunes sculpted into smooth curves by constant ocean breezes. A windswept tree on a hilltop might lean permanently to one side, its branches all stretched in the same direction like frozen flags, showing which way the wind usually blows.

The word creates a picture of exposure and weather. A windswept landscape feels open and wild, without much shelter from the elements. Think of a windswept coastline where the grass grows low and tough, or a windswept mountain peak where even the rocks seem polished smooth by centuries of wind.

You can also use windswept to describe how someone looks after being outside in strong wind. Your hair might look windswept after riding your bike on a blustery day, all tousled and pointing in different directions. While we often tidy windswept hair, there's something honest and adventurous about windswept landscapes: they show the raw power of nature and the passing of time.