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
Of course things can change quickly in the Trump world view, and the pendulum may swing back.
—
Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
But some wonder if the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction.
—Amy Shoenthal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
While there was much concern over the amount of space available on container ships in May when the U.S. first rolled back its tariffs on China for 90 days, the pendulum has heavily swung back to overcapacity on the Pacific Ocean, which is a catalyst for lower freight rates.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 July 2025
The fear is that the pendulum swing will harm people in need legitimately, as well as those who slipped through the cracks, said Simons of the Terre Haute addiction treatment center.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
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Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
But some wonder if the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction.
—Amy Shoenthal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
While there was much concern over the amount of space available on container ships in May when the U.S. first rolled back its tariffs on China for 90 days, the pendulum has heavily swung back to overcapacity on the Pacific Ocean, which is a catalyst for lower freight rates.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 July 2025
The fear is that the pendulum swing will harm people in need legitimately, as well as those who slipped through the cracks, said Simons of the Terre Haute addiction treatment center.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 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 22 Jul. 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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