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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fluctuating
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
Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The Phillies insist there is nothing wrong with Romano, who is perplexed at his fluctuating velocity.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
The pattern of fluctuating fortunes continued with six straight victories across all competitions and then a draw at champions Manchester City in the seven matches after that thrashing at Forest.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Among other possible benefits for financial agility, enterprises might be able to adjust budgets more quickly in response to fluctuating exchange rates.
—Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
As of Wednesday, stocks are fluctuating with the S&P 500 down 5 points, The Dow dropped 225 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq is up by 96 points.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
What To Know Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, argues that modest upfront payments could reignite engagement among borrowers who have become disillusioned or confused by fluctuating federal policy.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The transition leading to menopause, known as perimenopause, can last several years and is characterized by fluctuating levels of hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.
—Matthew Nudy, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Wondering how to dress for spring’s fluctuating temperatures?
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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
Jordan Romano, whose fluctuating fastball velocity perplexed everyone, fired some 96 mph heaters in a clean frame.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The Phillies insist there is nothing wrong with Romano, who is perplexed at his fluctuating velocity.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
The pattern of fluctuating fortunes continued with six straight victories across all competitions and then a draw at champions Manchester City in the seven matches after that thrashing at Forest.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Among other possible benefits for financial agility, enterprises might be able to adjust budgets more quickly in response to fluctuating exchange rates.
—Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
As of Wednesday, stocks are fluctuating with the S&P 500 down 5 points, The Dow dropped 225 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq is up by 96 points.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
What To Know Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, argues that modest upfront payments could reignite engagement among borrowers who have become disillusioned or confused by fluctuating federal policy.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The transition leading to menopause, known as perimenopause, can last several years and is characterized by fluctuating levels of hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.
—Matthew Nudy, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Wondering how to dress for spring’s fluctuating temperatures?
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
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Budget Pressure Is Driving Clarity The reflex in volatile markets is often to scale up teams or stack more tools.—
Jeremy Barnett,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
While the character brandishes a firearm and things eventually come to blows in physical tussles over the course of the volatile evening, Gallo's script never loses grip on the tender undercurrent of intimacy established back in Ponyboi's shower.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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In a conversation with Newsweek, Goldsmith discussed the role of emerging machine-learning tools and automation in the workplace and new ways of approaching recruiting, talent strategy, and productivity in today's fast-changing times.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
-
This is pretty game-changing for consumers, and just the start of what Alexa+ will do.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Each response is a surprise, tapping into the psychological principle of intermittent reinforcement, famously demonstrated by psychologist B.F. Skinner, where unpredictable rewards significantly amplify behaviors, much like gambling addiction.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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The Big Apple is full of complex, unpredictable scenarios for the Waymo Driver software to handle: Jaywalking pedestrians, trucks parked in the street, complex intersections, heavy rains, and harsh winter weather, to name a few.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Hardy calls it a social comedy and it is peppered with humor of varying effectiveness, from some silly sequences featuring a mannequin’s head to the delightfully wacky business ideas of Rakeem.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Retail stores that don’t sell liquor, like grocery stores and convenience stores, have varying hours for beer and wine sales depending on the day.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American-Statesman,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
-
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
Adjective
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Additionally, although each member of the crew has their own particular skillset, the time spent on individual characters is uneven, and a smaller cast would have likely made things more effective.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
25 June 2025
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Moreover, the legal playing field itself can be quite uneven.—
Mark Berookim,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Home care workers who provide assistance to elderly and disabled Californians could see more wage equality, according to a recent labor report, by shifting contract negotiations to the state level instead of bargaining individually with California’s 56 individual counties.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Jan. 2025
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Embrace adaptability The pace of change in the workplace continues to accelerate, driven by advancements in technology, shifting economic conditions, and the global push towards sustainability.—
Andrew Fennell,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Caregivers, or Care Pros, are the largest workforce in the U.S., yet their jobs are often undervalued and unstable.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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Residents in the wing that stayed intact managed to get out but were not allowed to return to their homes, and the rest of the building, determined to be unstable, was demolished 10 days later as a hurricane threatened South Florida.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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