oscillate

verb

os·​cil·​late ˈä-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
oscillated; oscillating

intransitive verb

1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
The fan was oscillating.
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
he oscillates regularly between his comfortable home … and his downtown office-laboratoryGladwin Hill
2
: to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories
The mood of the voters has oscillated between optimism and pessimism.
3
: to vary above and below a mean value
Bank rate oscillates between 2 and 6 percent.
oscillatory adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for oscillate

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Examples of oscillate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The fan oscillates up to 350 degrees and comes with 10 speed settings. Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2024 The caterpillars reacted more strongly when the field oscillated at a wasp’s wingbeat frequency. Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2024 The balance wheel oscillated 10 times per second, twice as fast as the outgoing caliber 44, which improved the positional stability of the watch. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2024 Meanwhile, the oscillating levels of incandescence brought to mind historical artworks not unlike the ones Pashgian encountered while studying art history at Columbia, Boston College, and Harvard before returning home in the mid-‘60s to focus on making work of her own. Tara Anne Dalbow, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oscillate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oscillate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin oscillatus, past participle of oscillare to swing, from oscillum swing

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of oscillate was in 1726

Dictionary Entries Near oscillate

Cite this Entry

“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscillate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

oscillate

verb
os·​cil·​late ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
oscillated; oscillating
1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
2
: to have trouble deciding between opposing beliefs, feelings, or ideas
oscillatory adjective

Medical Definition

oscillate

intransitive verb
os·​cil·​late ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
oscillated; oscillating
1
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
2
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
oscillatory adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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