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
Relevance
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
Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
Conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and severe anxiety disorders frequently involve fluctuating symptoms.
—Jeffrey Freedman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
With confidence fluctuating around peace talks, and reverberations in energy markets continuing, what has gone up could just as easily come down.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
Oxygen proved to be a particularly potent arbiter of the disk’s chemical evolution in the simulations because its fluctuating levels dictate the oxidation state of the resulting minerals, ultimately yielding the three families that mirror the three chondrite varieties.
—Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Geopolitical tensions, fluctuating energy prices and concerns about consumer debt levels are all contributing to a more fragile economic outlook.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The plant, which was the state’s largest maker of panelized components, struggled under the weight of reduced demand because of higher interest rates and fluctuating lumber costs.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Applying mulch offers several benefits, including retaining soil moisture, reducing soil erosion, insulating roots from fluctuating soil temperatures, and suppressing weeds.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
LeVota said in his Tuesday video statement that spreading tax credits out over three years, rather than recouping one lump sum from school districts, was the county’s attempt to mitigate the impact of fluctuating property tax values.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 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
Picking the right airline can be difficult, especially when there are so many choices to consider, and prices are constantly fluctuating.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
Conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and severe anxiety disorders frequently involve fluctuating symptoms.
—Jeffrey Freedman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
With confidence fluctuating around peace talks, and reverberations in energy markets continuing, what has gone up could just as easily come down.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
Oxygen proved to be a particularly potent arbiter of the disk’s chemical evolution in the simulations because its fluctuating levels dictate the oxidation state of the resulting minerals, ultimately yielding the three families that mirror the three chondrite varieties.
—Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Geopolitical tensions, fluctuating energy prices and concerns about consumer debt levels are all contributing to a more fragile economic outlook.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The plant, which was the state’s largest maker of panelized components, struggled under the weight of reduced demand because of higher interest rates and fluctuating lumber costs.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Applying mulch offers several benefits, including retaining soil moisture, reducing soil erosion, insulating roots from fluctuating soil temperatures, and suppressing weeds.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
LeVota said in his Tuesday video statement that spreading tax credits out over three years, rather than recouping one lump sum from school districts, was the county’s attempt to mitigate the impact of fluctuating property tax values.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
-
Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela has entered a volatile and highly managed political transition, one shaped as much by Washington as by internal dynamics.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
-
By contrast, the Republican plan relies on one-off gimmicks and volatile funding schemes that don’t last.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 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
-
Two new Sox players made their Rate Field debuts as members of the team — with varying results.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The bike kitchen is open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday at varying hours, which are listed on the organization’s Instagram and website.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Known for his unpredictable, edgy behavior and fiery personality, Gritty has expanded the traditional boundaries of what a sports team mascot can be or do.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Special legislative sessions are unpredictable, and people on both sides say the Florida fight is far from over, with mistrust of the medical establishment still running high after the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Kerry Sheridan,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This not only suppressed uneven vertical phase distribution but also improved film uniformity across the devices.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
-
Many buildings predate modern standards, leaving visitors to navigate stairs, uneven terrain, or sites that simply can’t be reached without significant retrofitting.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Subscription revenue was up 4% at $46 million (adjusting down to a 5% decrease when accounting for foreign currency translation) and ad sales rose 3% to $23 million (also shifting to a dip of 5% without favorable impact from exchange rates).—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
8 May 2026
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This knowledge is critical for monitoring and predicting how our ocean-climate system is shifting, affecting both people and ecosystems in our changing world.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
8 May 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
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An unstable ice block delayed Mount Everest’s climbing season until late April, yet around 464 climbers and their guides remain determined despite the danger and soaring permit costs.—
Binaj Gurubacharya,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
While mixtures of two or three metals were messy and unstable, the five-metal combination paradoxically self-organized into a single, uniform product, streamlining 31 possible chemical outcomes into a single, precise nanocrystal.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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