seesaw

noun

see·saw | \ ˈsē-ˌsȯ

Definition of seesaw

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an alternating up-and-down or backward-and-forward motion or movement also : a contest or struggle in which now one side now the other has the lead

2a : a pastime in which two children or groups of children ride on opposite ends of a plank balanced in the middle so that one end goes up as the other goes down

b : the plank or apparatus so used

seesaw

verb

seesawed; seesawing; seesaws

Definition of seesaw (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to move backward and forward or up and down

b : to play at seesaw

2 : alternate seesaw between two activities

transitive verb

: to cause to move in seesaw fashion

Other Words from seesaw Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about seesaw

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Synonyms for seesaw

Synonyms: Verb

careen, lurch, pitch, rock, roll, sway, toss, wobble (also wabble)

Examples of seesaw in a Sentence

Noun

Their relationship was an emotional seesaw.

Verb

The lead seesawed between the two runners right up to the finish line. as their boat seesawed in the rough water, the rescue team tried to get the passengers off the sinking ship

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The gains follow weeks of volatility, driven by a seesaw in U.S. markets. — Christopher Alessi, WSJ, "Oil Jumps Amid Volatile Market Activity," 28 Dec. 2018 One of the biggest causes of year-to-year variability in weather patterns (and even global average temperature) is the El Niño/La Niña seesaw of Pacific Ocean temperatures. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Mad scientists flip the Earth’s spin in climate models, watch water go nuts," 17 Oct. 2018 The year-to-year El Niño/La Niña ocean temperature seesaw in the Pacific also plays an important role here, with stronger upper winds inhibiting hurricane development in El Niño years. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "What pushed 2017’s Atlantic hurricane season into overdrive?," 28 Sep. 2018 The transition is complicated by a seesaw in U.S.-Cuba relations. — Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, "In Cuba, the Castro era ends this week as Raúl steps down as ruler," 17 Apr. 2018 There’s a pretty simple reason industry hates the idea: If one side of the seesaw goes down, the other side must go up. — Washington Post, "The Health 202: The Trump administration will allow people to buy cheaper health plans. But they won't have certain Obamacare benefits.," 19 June 2018 In the days prior, the possibility of a three-second kiss turned into a game of intellectual seesaw. — Dana Lee, Indianapolis Star, "Northwest senior battles depression, bullying to emerge as valedictorian," 11 June 2018 This looks like a classic spring seesaw kind of weekend. — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Warm today, then turning cooler and eventually rainy Sunday," 14 Apr. 2018 The new Sutter-Aetna venture comes after the not-for-profit has seen its operating income seesaw up and down annually over the last five years. — Cathie Anderson, sacbee, "Sutter and insurance giant Aetna hire industry veteran to lead joint venture," 20 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The committee’s name has seesawed along with control of Congress ever since. — WSJ, "New House Committee Chiefs Take Their Chairs," 4 Jan. 2019 Both indexes are up this week but have seesawed amid the escalating trade dispute between the U.S. and China. — Michael Wursthorn, WSJ, "U.S. Stocks Little Changed Amid Positive Corporate Earnings," 9 Aug. 2018 The committee’s name has seesawed along with control of Congress ever since. — WSJ, "New House Committee Chiefs Take Their Chairs," 4 Jan. 2019 Financial markets have seesawed as investors digested weaker trade data and moves by major central banks to tighten monetary policy. — Paul Hannon, WSJ, "Germany’s Sharp Slowdown Fans Fears That China Woes Are Spreading," 15 Jan. 2019 The Shanghai Composite jumped 4.1% on Monday and slid 2.3% on Tuesday, then seesawed through the rest of the week. — Ben Eisen, WSJ, "China Puts Yuan Skeptics on Notice as Currency Nears Decade Low," 26 Oct. 2018 The committee’s name has seesawed along with control of Congress ever since. — WSJ, "Meet the New Agenda Setters in the House," 7 Nov. 2018 The price of oil has seesawed after President Trump in May pulled the U.S. out of a 2015 international agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program and put sanctions in motion last week. — Riva Gold, WSJ, "U.S. Policy Stirs Foreign Markets," 15 Aug. 2018 Wilson, 39, campaigned on a platform of more economic development and infrastructure investment and won by about 1,200 votes, according to unofficial returns, after the lead seesawed throughout the evening. — Patricia Sullivan, Washington Post, "Justin Wilson defeats incumbent Alexandria, Va., Mayor Allison Silberberg in primary," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'seesaw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.