1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a fluctuating stock market makes it hard for investors to know what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in changing
not staying constant
our speed was constantly fluctuating, so the figure of 50 miles per hour is just an average
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in varying
to pass from one form, state, or level to another
temperatures will fluctuate between the low and high 50s today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fluctuating
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
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Chances of rain and thunderstorms increase Tuesday night and last through Saturday, fluctuating between 20 to 60%.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
The film has decent 79 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the 65 percent critics’ score is also in the fresh zone (The critics’ score has been fluctuating, and was in the low 70s several days ago).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2026
Attributing the budget-slashing move to an overall decrease in enrollment caused by fluctuating demographics, restrictions on international students and skyrocketing tuition costs, the New School is becoming part of a trend across higher education.
—News Desk, Artforum, 27 Mar. 2026
Videos shared on social media on March 25 showed lines fluctuating throughout the day, shrinking between the early morning and afternoon rushes.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The wildly fluctuating campaign — a bad start preceded a remarkable 13-game winning streak which has since been flipped on its head again — has posed questions over their sustainability.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The twenty-four-hour temperature forecast is shown as a fluctuating black line tagged with icons denoting the weather every three hours.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Bitcoin had earlier on Monday been fluctuating around a two-week low, sliding as far as $67,371 — its lowest level since March 9.
—Emily Nicolle, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Data shows battery, homicide, arson and auto thefts fluctuating most frequently.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Chances of rain and thunderstorms increase Tuesday night and last through Saturday, fluctuating between 20 to 60%.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
The film has decent 79 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the 65 percent critics’ score is also in the fresh zone (The critics’ score has been fluctuating, and was in the low 70s several days ago).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2026
Attributing the budget-slashing move to an overall decrease in enrollment caused by fluctuating demographics, restrictions on international students and skyrocketing tuition costs, the New School is becoming part of a trend across higher education.
—News Desk, Artforum, 27 Mar. 2026
Videos shared on social media on March 25 showed lines fluctuating throughout the day, shrinking between the early morning and afternoon rushes.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The wildly fluctuating campaign — a bad start preceded a remarkable 13-game winning streak which has since been flipped on its head again — has posed questions over their sustainability.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The twenty-four-hour temperature forecast is shown as a fluctuating black line tagged with icons denoting the weather every three hours.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Bitcoin had earlier on Monday been fluctuating around a two-week low, sliding as far as $67,371 — its lowest level since March 9.
—Emily Nicolle, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
-
The comparison isn't perfect — stock data spans decades, while trends in trading card values are shorter and more volatile — but the outperformance in certain windows is still striking.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
These volatile, double-digit voting shifts directly contrast more stable voting patterns among other major demographic groups, including the Black and white electorates, where shifts from cycle to cycle tend to be just a few points.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.—
Evan Moore
December 19,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
States have widely varying regulations regarding raw milk, with some allowing retail sales in stores and others allowing sale only at farms.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Pay also trails in other large cities in the state, to varying degrees.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Prices are subject to rapid, unpredictable changes due to factors like, but not limited to, supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Air travelers are paying the price of the shutdown with unpredictable, snaking TSA lines at airports across the country, jeopardizing their chances to pass through security on time for their flights.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility Due to Lupaia’s location on a steep hilltop with gravel pathways and naturally uneven grounds at various levels, this resort is not wheelchair accessible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The truth is that the track record for Olympic host cities is pretty uneven.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Nicole Wegman of Ring Concierge, trends are shifting toward bold bands, distinctive settings, dual-band designs, and colorful gemstones that add personality and a modern twist.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The education ministry will issue guidelines for schools starting Sunday, with options such as adjusting timetables and shifting to online classes being considered.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
Adjective
-
Geopolitically, the world seems to be getting more unstable.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
How geopolitical risk remains a wildcard Gold has long been considered a safe-haven investment to turn to when the world feels unstable, but recent months have shown that relationship isn't always so simple.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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