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
Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
In principle, besides fluctuating stars transients can be associated with other things, too, such as extreme space weather events impinging on the upper atmosphere, sunlight glinting off reflective objects near Earth, as well as flaws in the telescope or the imaging process.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
The dress is made from a fine-gauge knit that offers warmth without feeling bulky, which is essential for fluctuating weather.
—Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
The reasons for price hikes are many, but fluctuating natural gas prices and the costs of maintaining adequate transmission capacity are among the obvious culprits, to say nothing of increasing demand.
—Yaël Ossowski, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The cost of that water is now set at about $186 million annually, rather than fluctuating each year with Metropolitan’s rates.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Wright cites fluctuating exchange rates as a major challenge.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Challenges in the sheriff’s office During Soptic’s tenure, the sheriff’s department has seen fluctuating numbers of staff shortages.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The home is constructed with Nordic wood, which not only is lightweight and easy to work with, but also resistant to weathering and decay from rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and fungus—a must in the fluctuating Southern climates.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
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
And while some rentals in the area offer on-site care at fluctuating market rates, as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, The Vi provides compassionate care at a more predictable cost, since those rates are built into a resident’s monthly fees.
—Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
In principle, besides fluctuating stars transients can be associated with other things, too, such as extreme space weather events impinging on the upper atmosphere, sunlight glinting off reflective objects near Earth, as well as flaws in the telescope or the imaging process.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
The dress is made from a fine-gauge knit that offers warmth without feeling bulky, which is essential for fluctuating weather.
—Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
The reasons for price hikes are many, but fluctuating natural gas prices and the costs of maintaining adequate transmission capacity are among the obvious culprits, to say nothing of increasing demand.
—Yaël Ossowski, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The cost of that water is now set at about $186 million annually, rather than fluctuating each year with Metropolitan’s rates.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Wright cites fluctuating exchange rates as a major challenge.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Challenges in the sheriff’s office During Soptic’s tenure, the sheriff’s department has seen fluctuating numbers of staff shortages.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The home is constructed with Nordic wood, which not only is lightweight and easy to work with, but also resistant to weathering and decay from rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and fungus—a must in the fluctuating Southern climates.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
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First, the electrodes and electrolytes are adjusted to handle high temperatures, specifically replacing the volatile liquid electrolyte used in traditional Li batteries.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Taking the long view Many finance leaders remain cautious, viewing bitcoin as too volatile—especially recently—compared to traditional assets.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The research’s molecular dynamics and experimental results confirm that adjusting the interlayer spacing by changing the C3N4 content effectively improves the reaction kinetics.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
-
After all, your business deserves a fighting chance in a highly competitive, often-changing market.—
K.H. Koehler,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This combination allows for precise navigation in tight or unpredictable environments.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Tinker was brilliant, unpredictable, and slightly unhinged.—
Henry Selick,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While young players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and others are fighting for better pay for their industry-shifting work, college football programs are shelling out $40 million to $50 million payouts to get their underperforming coaches to stop showing up to the office.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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This season, many of China’s rising stars did exactly that — flying from Paris back to Shanghai overnight, shifting seamlessly from runway storytelling to retail strategy.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
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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The early days of the season have been decidedly uneven.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Special features include their grippy Vibram outsoles, cushiony FloatPro Foam pods, and extra underfoot protection against rocks and uneven terrain.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Tailless designs are inherently unstable, and thrust vectoring can maximize performance across the flight envelope, including at high altitudes, the report noted.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
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New refugees continue to arrive every day as conditions in South Sudan remain unstable.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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