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
We get inspired, we get motivated, then there’s a [backlash], and the pendulum swings the other way.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2025
That the pendulum has swung again to claims of personal freedom over real public benefit in the case of fluoride fundamentally misunderstands the role of community and society.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025
CEOs should protect long-term value by maintaining the internal infrastructure, external partnerships, and data systems to rapidly scale DEI and climate efforts when the pendulum swings back.
—Paul Klein, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The Current Labor Market Landscape The pendulum has swung in the labor market leaving employers with the upper hand.
—Roberta Matuson, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
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Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2025
That the pendulum has swung again to claims of personal freedom over real public benefit in the case of fluoride fundamentally misunderstands the role of community and society.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025
CEOs should protect long-term value by maintaining the internal infrastructure, external partnerships, and data systems to rapidly scale DEI and climate efforts when the pendulum swings back.
—Paul Klein, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The Current Labor Market Landscape The pendulum has swung in the labor market leaving employers with the upper hand.
—Roberta Matuson, Forbes, 25 Mar. 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 18 Apr. 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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