vibrate

verb

vi·brate ˈvī-ˌbrāt

especially British vī-ˈbrāt

vibrated; vibrating

Synonyms of vibrate next

transitive verb

: to swing or move to and fro

: to emit with or as if with a vibratory motion

: to mark or measure by oscillation

a pendulum vibrating seconds

: to set in vibration

intransitive verb

: to move to and fro or from side to side : oscillate

: fluctuate, vacillate

vibrate between two choices

: to have an effect as or as if of vibration

music, when soft voices die, vibrates in the memory—

P. B. Shelley

: to be in a state of vibration : quiver

: to respond sympathetically : thrill

vibrate to the opportunity

Choose the Right Synonym for vibrate

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 vibrate in a Sentence

The car started to vibrate. When you blow into the instrument, the air vibrates the reed.

Recent Examples on the Web Warranty: 1-year warranty Pros: Easy to use, accommodates different sizes, doesn’t need to be charged Cons: Doesn’t vibrate Review: The Nexus Forge was recommended by erotic educator and founder of Organic Loven Taylor Sparks for its versatility and beginner-friendly aspects. —

Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2023 When metal is heated, the molecules in it vibrate faster and the space between them moves farther apart. —

Matthew T. Hughes, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023 The storm passed quickly, and in its aftermath, the whine of chainsaws vibrated throughout the neighborhoods that were hit hardest. —

Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2023 At the molecular scale, temperature is a measure of how much molecules are vibrating. —

Matthew T. Hughes, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023 Advertisement The girl was suddenly vibrating with delight: Marshmallow, a Shih Tzu mix belonging to her aunt and uncle, had jumped on her leg. —

Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2023 Steel wheels where your feet would vibrate like crazy. —

Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2023 Use some Thread Locker (blue or red) to keep the bolts from vibrating loose. —

Jeff Dengate, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2023 What at first looks like a lifeless brown grid begins to vibrate; thin lines stammer their way from one side of the canvas to the other. —

Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2023 See More

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