undulate

verb

Definition of undulatenext
as in to oscillate
formal to move or be shaped like waves undulating hills an undulating surface

Related Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb undulate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of undulate are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, swing, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When is fluctuate a more appropriate choice than undulate?

While in some cases nearly identical to undulate, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

Where would oscillate be a reasonable alternative to undulate?

The words oscillate and undulate can be used in similar contexts, but oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When can sway be used instead of undulate?

While the synonyms sway and undulate are close in meaning, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When might swing be a better fit than undulate?

Although the words swing and undulate have much in common, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When would vibrate be a good substitute for undulate?

The meanings of vibrate and undulate largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When is it sensible to use waver instead of undulate?

In some situations, the words waver and undulate are roughly equivalent. However, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of undulate More than 8 acres of gently undulating land, punctuated by freshwater springs and near-daily rainbows. —Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 Next: an exhibit where visitors can ride a Seussian tricycle with square wheels around an undulating yellow track. —Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 The road passes vast farm fields, undulating grasslands dotted with towering wind turbines and sprawling cattle ranches before entering Amarillo, the Panhandle’s largest city. —Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025 Turrets, undulating brickwork and roof shingles are his trademark, too. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for undulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulate
  1. oscillate
  2. fluctuate
  3. wave
  4. flutter
  5. vibrate
  6. shake
  7. flicker
  8. convulse
Verb
  • The fan can tilt 90 degrees vertically and oscillate horizontally 90 degrees, cooling a wide area with precision.
    — Maggie Horton, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • Whether oscillating, revolving, or pulsating—each sprinkler had its own set of benefits and games to go along with.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Definition of oscillate
Verb
  • Recently, the price has fluctuated more between $65 and $95, which makes this Prime Day star projector deal worth getting.
    — Alexander Cox, Space.com, 10 July 2025
  • The numbers will almost certainly fluctuate by state.
    — Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Definition of fluctuate
Verb
  • He was waved home by third base coach Tim Leiper and was called safe before the call was overturned on replay review, ending the inning.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • Noel prefers to walk out alone, waving to the roaring crowd leaving.
    — Paula Mejía, Vulture, 5 July 2025
Definition of wave
Verb
  • What was supposed to be down and on the outside corner instead fluttered up and above the zone.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
  • Fancy Bay is an over-the-top clubhouse for serious wine drinkers, the sort of place with more than 10 Champagnes by the glass, not to mention bottles of Burgundy, Barolo and awesome German riesling that’ll make your heart flutter.
    — Jordan Michelman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 July 2025
Definition of flutter
Verb
  • Somewhere around hour two of not moving, my hamstrings began to vibrate like the low end of a baby grand.
    — Peter Rubin, Longreads, 8 July 2025
  • Their beating wings vibrate, inadvertently loosening pollen, which then falls onto the female part of the flower.
    — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Definition of vibrate
Verb
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.
    — Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Guests arrive through a courtyard layered with climbing vines, flickering gas lanterns, and a fountain.
    — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • One of the most common causes of flickering lights is an issue with the bulb.
    — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
Definition of flicker
Verb
  • Bangkok has since been convulsed by protests against her government, and a legal petition has demanded her resignation.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
  • That all went up in smoke as quickly as a car on the streets of Los Angeles, as the city was convulsed by violent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Definition of convulse

Browse Nearby Words

undulant
undulate
undulated
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Undulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on undulate

Nglish: Translation of undulate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

12 Words Whose History Will Surprise You
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a plate of arepas
Name That Dish! Some mouth-watering food for thought
See All