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
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
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
The instability affecting global supply chains, like policy changes, extreme weather, fluctuating commodity prices, and surging electrification demand, means that planning for only one future is planning for failure.
—Travis Edmonds, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Traditional lenders often rely on criteria that overlook realities of fluctuating revenues, short business credit histories, or limited collateral, leaving many capable business owners without support.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Normally, in this business, there should be fluctuating inventory levels based on customer demand, employees said.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Removing protective material too soon exposes soil to fluctuating temperatures.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Her top three picks are bug spray, layers of clothing for the fluctuating temperatures and a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Chabarria recommends drivers to shop around for different gas prices, as prices are constantly fluctuating.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
In business, this same perseverance can be invaluable when navigating competitive and fluctuating markets, stubborn problems or enduring long timelines that don’t pay immediate dividends but for which the rewards are worth the wait.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 3 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
This achievement is particularly important because drones operate under demanding conditions such as vibration, motion, limited power supply, and fluctuating communication signals.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
The instability affecting global supply chains, like policy changes, extreme weather, fluctuating commodity prices, and surging electrification demand, means that planning for only one future is planning for failure.
—Travis Edmonds, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Traditional lenders often rely on criteria that overlook realities of fluctuating revenues, short business credit histories, or limited collateral, leaving many capable business owners without support.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Normally, in this business, there should be fluctuating inventory levels based on customer demand, employees said.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Removing protective material too soon exposes soil to fluctuating temperatures.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Her top three picks are bug spray, layers of clothing for the fluctuating temperatures and a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Chabarria recommends drivers to shop around for different gas prices, as prices are constantly fluctuating.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
In business, this same perseverance can be invaluable when navigating competitive and fluctuating markets, stubborn problems or enduring long timelines that don’t pay immediate dividends but for which the rewards are worth the wait.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
-
Asian shares slide in a volatile session.—
Nasteho Said,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The dismal report comes at a volatile time for the economy, as the war in Iran risks reigniting inflation.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
8 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
-
By locating varying levels of services in one sight, officials hope participants will have a better chance of success.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Home to around 1,000 miles of varying coastline habitats, the country has emerged as a prime surf destination.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Strengthening the layers Epoch 2 solves the problem of unpredictable missile paths by using high-tech heat sensors and laser communication.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Revenue hinges on capital gains from investments, bonuses to executives and windfalls from new stock offerings, all of which are grossly unpredictable.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Heating elements must survive high temperatures, constant airflow and uneven heat distribution.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
But employer coverage of obesity drugs remains uneven due to high costs, leaving roughly half of people with commercial insurance unable to start or stay on treatment, Lilly said in a release.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At a time when thousands of local newspapers across the nation have folded in the face of plummeting web traffic, advertising losses and shifting reader habits, the rebirth of a community news outlet is rare.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The visuals of erupting volcanoes, shifting mountain ranges, and ocean expansion all feature heavily as well—and will probably be what half of my family remembers most about the series.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
6 Mar. 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
-
Before the war, some Arab interlocutors had been quietly lobbying the White House against such action, in part out of fear that a direct war against Iran would yield an even more unstable and chaotic status quo in Tehran.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
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This is also where Federations matter, especially when the world feels unstable.—
Audra Berg,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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