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
Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2026
The primary brings to a close the chaotic and ever-fluctuating race for governor, which for most of it saw Becerra near the bottom of voter preferences.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
From a safety perspective, fluctuating temperatures and exposure to warm air can promote bacteria growth.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
Meanwhile, Roberts turned to the score, discovering similar emotions of falling and destruction in a fluctuating chorus.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
In practice, the real-world results are maddeningly inconsistent, with fuel savings fluctuating wildly between 2 percent and 25 percent.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Evaluating downside risk is essential in fluctuating environments.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Seismic waves traveling between the Diablo mountain range and the region’s valleys create a maze of fluctuating energy.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
While some platforms rely on fluctuating pay-per-click pricing, ZipRecruiter plans offer flat monthly rates for unlimited applicants.
—Audrey Payne, CNBC, 29 May 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
Oil prices dropped following the announcement but have remained relatively high, fluctuating between $90 and $100 per barrel.
—Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2026
The primary brings to a close the chaotic and ever-fluctuating race for governor, which for most of it saw Becerra near the bottom of voter preferences.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
From a safety perspective, fluctuating temperatures and exposure to warm air can promote bacteria growth.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
Meanwhile, Roberts turned to the score, discovering similar emotions of falling and destruction in a fluctuating chorus.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
In practice, the real-world results are maddeningly inconsistent, with fuel savings fluctuating wildly between 2 percent and 25 percent.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Evaluating downside risk is essential in fluctuating environments.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Seismic waves traveling between the Diablo mountain range and the region’s valleys create a maze of fluctuating energy.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
While some platforms rely on fluctuating pay-per-click pricing, ZipRecruiter plans offer flat monthly rates for unlimited applicants.
—Audrey Payne, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
-
Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
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Even excluding volatile food and energy prices, core PCE is expected to increase from April, according to economists polled by FactSet.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
Adjective
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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
-
Weight Flatware sets have varying weights.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
But these salamanders live at varying elevations in different mountain ranges, and genetic sequencing confirmed that each was, in fact, its own species.—
Torben Rick,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The rapid rise and fall underscored silver's reputation as one of the market's most unpredictable assets.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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The restaurant intended to add automatic 18 percent tips to every bill, since international tipping culture is often unpredictable.—
Rachel Siegel,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Stowers getting regular first base work Stowers is beginning to produce after his season got off to an uneven start following to a pair of hamstring injuries in spring training.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
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The president says market gains helped guide his push to reach a deal with Iran, even as critics warn that stocks are an uneven measure of national interest.—
Cat Zakrzewski,
Washington Post,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Pressing for clearer answers For months, frustration among stakeholders has centered on numbers that keep shifting as the district revises its budget projections.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
Congress holds power of the purse The shifting funds are certain to ignite growing concerns in Congress over the separation of powers, and the president’s use of federal funds allocated by lawmakers.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 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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If these fixes apply after the system has already verified the human and if that identity foundation is shallow, even strong transaction records rest on unstable ground.—
Jeffrey Highman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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Engineers always knew the cliffs were unstable Last Chance Grade was first built as a wagon trail through the dense redwood forest in 1894.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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