Definition of fluctuate
fluctuated
;fluctuating
intransitive verb
1 : to shift back and forth uncertainly Oil prices fluctuated. Temperatures fluctuated.
2 : to rise and fall in or as if in waves The boat fluctuated on the rough sea.
transitive verb
: to cause to fluctuate
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Examples of fluctuate in a Sentence
His popularity has fluctuated during his term in office.
In the desert, the temperature fluctuates dramatically.
Recent Examples of fluctuate from the Web
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In fact, from 2000 to 2015, the total number of electoral democracies fluctuated only between 115 and 125, a relatively narrow range.
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Attempts to mitigate the effects have fluctuated with public opinion over the years, but today the dam funds three hatcheries that collectively release more than 2 million fish into the river, according to the bureau.
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But in practice, ICOs are constantly traded across a variety of online marketplaces as buyers breathlessly track their fluctuating prices.
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The statistic fluctuates with the weather, though, as Seattle’s soggy, dark winter brings out mood-matching clothes.
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Men have a more positive perception of her than women as of late May, though each gender’s view of Ivanka Trump’s label has fluctuated heavily in recent weeks.
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Its depth and breadth have fluctuated over the ensuing eons: Its northern tides once lapped shoreline in present-day Illinois.
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Poor’ Paramount, whose inclusiveness has fluctuated over the years, released 15 movies in 2016, five (or 33%) of which included LGBTQ folk.
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Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer whose shares often fluctuate based on the interest rate outlook, gained 2-12/16 at 59-15/16.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fluctuate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fluctuate
Latin fluctuatus, past participle of fluctuare, from fluctus flow, wave, from fluere — more at fluid
First Known Use: 1604
Synonym Discussion of fluctuate
FLUCTUATE Defined for English Language Learners
fluctuate
playDefinition of fluctuate for English Language Learners
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: to change level, strength, or value frequently
FLUCTUATE Defined for Kids
fluctuate
playDefinition of fluctuate for Students
fluctuated
;fluctuating
: to change continually and especially up and down The temperature fluctuated.
Learn More about fluctuate
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See words that rhyme with fluctuate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fluctuate Spanish Central: Translation of fluctuate Nglish: Translation of fluctuate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fluctuate for Arabic speakers
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