pendulum
noun
pen·du·lum
ˈpen-jə-ləm 
ˈpen-dyə-,
-də-
1
: a body suspended from a fixed point so as to swing freely to and fro under the action of gravity and commonly used to regulate movements (as of clockwork)
2
: something (such as a state of affairs) that alternates between opposites
doesn't take much to swing the pendulum of opinion the other way
Examples of pendulum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The country has seen the pendulum swing back and forth wildly in recent years, so all career government employees should think beyond just the next four years, because too much praise for the current occupant could be a problem down the road.
—
Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
After many years of stark white kitchens, the pendulum is swinging in the direction of cozy warmth again, and what better way to warm up the heart of the home than with natural wood cabinets.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025
Around the World in 80 Days’ Best Picture win, for instance, looks like the pendulum swinging back from the grit of On the Waterfront and Marty, the previous years’ winners.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Where this is in real time, the pendulum is swinging from one way to the other.
—Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
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Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
After many years of stark white kitchens, the pendulum is swinging in the direction of cozy warmth again, and what better way to warm up the heart of the home than with natural wood cabinets.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025
Around the World in 80 Days’ Best Picture win, for instance, looks like the pendulum swinging back from the grit of On the Waterfront and Marty, the previous years’ winners.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Where this is in real time, the pendulum is swinging from one way to the other.
—Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
Cite this Entry
“Pendulum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendulum. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pendulum
noun
pen·du·lum
ˈpen-jə-ləm
: a body hung from a fixed point so as to swing freely back and forth under the action of gravity
Etymology
from scientific Latin pendulum "something suspended so as to swing freely," from Latin pendulus "suspended," from pendēre "to hang" — related to depend, perpendicular
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