Definition of oscillationnext
1
as in fluctuation
the frequent and usually sudden passing from one condition to another fickle springtime weather in which there seemed to be an unceasing oscillation between unseasonable heat and unseasonable cold

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2
as in vibration
a series of slight movements by a body back and forth or from side to side the precise oscillations of the quartz crystal that allows a quartz watch to keep such accurate time

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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 oscillation Sungrow addressed this by deliberately triggering oscillations at a real-world plant. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026 During running workouts, the Ultra 4 also captures form metrics such as cadence, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026 Through serial repetition, role-play, and the oscillation between masculine and feminine visual codes, Stötzer stages gender as something performed rather than possessed. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 On 28 April 2025, a series of power oscillations, voltage gaps, and reactive power control failures set off a cascade of disconnections across the Iberian Peninsula. — IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillation
Noun
  • Measuring the resulting fluctuations allows researchers to determine the amount of charge carried by each quasiparticle.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Swaps can mitigate financial risks, including fluctuations in commodity prices.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Wang and Fuller are working on onboard solar cells and a battery, along with a vibration motor for turning, retractable feet to adjust its hop angle, and a camera and electronics for navigation.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • As vibrations and other changes in the Earth altered the size of the gap, Benioff recorded the changes with a transducer.
    — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • People left their parishes to fight in the wars, or to run away from the wars; many fled because of religious or political change, or disruption to trade or food supply, or simply relocated to take up new opportunities.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The team also mapped this change to the ventrolateral striatum (VLS), an area of the striatum involved particularly in movements of the mouth and tongue.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Casting near banks and using a twitching technique can increase success during the hatch.
    — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
  • During this phase, octopuses display visible twitching along with rapid changes in skin color and texture, per NPR.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Light to moderate shaking was reported in the vicinity of the quake, with reports that the quake was felt as far east as Palmdale, as far west as Santa Barbara and as far south as Inglewood.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • What to do in an earthquake Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause structural collapses and landslides.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Betelgeuse and the Pleiades hung—one billowing, one trembling—out of sight somewhere past the window frame.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • When the trembling decreased, the 27-year-old mother took the stairs seven stories down with her young child in her arms and evacuated the building.
    — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillation. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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