fluctuating

1 of 2

adjective

fluc·​tu·​at·​ing ˈflək-chə-ˌwā-tiŋ 

-chü-ˌā-

: changing frequently and uncertainly

a period of fluctuating temperatures/prices

a fluctuating signal

fluctuating

2 of 2

present participle of fluctuate

Synonyms of fluctuating

Adjective

• volatile
• unpredictable
• changeful
• unstable
• variable

Examples of fluctuating in a Sentence

Adjective

a fluctuating stock market makes it hard for investors to know what to do

our speed was constantly fluctuating, so the figure of 50 miles per hour is just an average

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Don’t Leave Pumpkins to Extreme Elements Pumpkins prefer consistency, so fluctuating temperatures—such as freezing nights followed by warm, sunny days—can weaken them. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2025

Many rival fans have had a good laugh at Tottenham and their wildly fluctuating results this season. — Nick Miller, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024

The same amount of water per unit time can arrive as a smooth, steady rain of many small drops or as a strongly fluctuating shower with fewer but much larger drops. — Douglas Natelson, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024

Irwin said that the characters’ runaway emotions are mirrored by the wildly fluctuating time signatures. — Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fluctuating

• abating
• awaiting
• berating
• castrating
• chelating
• collating
• conflating
• creating
• debating
• deflating
• derating
• dictating