1
as in to fluctuate
to move back and forth in a rhythmic manner
When a guitar string is plucked, it oscillates to produce sound waves in the air.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to alternate
to continuously change from one belief, feeling, or condition to an opposite one
The model's hair color oscillates between bleach blond and jet black.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oscillate
From standing fans to desk fans, most of our picks have oscillating designs that reach up to 180 degrees to allow for ample airflow throughout a space.
—
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
That was the pattern of the first set, oscillating between brilliant points and routine mistakes, before Alcaraz broke again at 5-3 to take it, 6-3.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
As the survivors venture out and scramble back, the images oscillate between nervous claustrophobia and eerie, wide-open desolation; between the overly familiar and the radically strange.
—Mike Hale, New York Times, 1 May 2025
As a performer, he’s always excelled with high-energy characters who oscillate wildly between high and low status (or sometimes both at the same time).
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
That was the pattern of the first set, oscillating between brilliant points and routine mistakes, before Alcaraz broke again at 5-3 to take it, 6-3.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
As the survivors venture out and scramble back, the images oscillate between nervous claustrophobia and eerie, wide-open desolation; between the overly familiar and the radically strange.
—Mike Hale, New York Times, 1 May 2025
As a performer, he’s always excelled with high-energy characters who oscillate wildly between high and low status (or sometimes both at the same time).
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillate
Verb
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Even as political power shifted, the climate fluctuated and the wall went up, the apocalypse still hadn’t quite arrived.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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What Happens Next Trump's approval rating could fluctuate in the coming weeks, depending on the outcome of key events, including critical negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war, the evolving tariff situation and concerns about a recession.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Retirement-account holders alternated between terror and relief in recent weeks as the S&P 500 -- the index that most people's 401(k)s track -- nearly entered bear market territory before recovering all of the losses.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
28 May 2025
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The king alternated between speaking in English and French – the two official languages of Canada – and received a standing ovation after wrapping up the speech.—
Paula Newton,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Nearby, Casa Milà stands tall with its twisted white pillars stemming from the roof and undulating stone facade.—
Jennifer Fernández Solano,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Create an even or slightly undulating mowing surface by filling holes and low spots in the turf.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
Verb
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The president's team has now swung the pendulum in the opposite direction from five years ago, even attempting to rescind findings of constitutional violations in the cities where Floyd and Taylor lost their lives.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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The momentum swung again on the next hole when Griffin saved par from behind a tree in the fairway and Schmid curiously aimed away from the hole with his ball plugged in a bunker, ended up in the rough and made bogey.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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