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
Jerald “coop” Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Keeping bulk produce in warm or fluctuating temperatures, humid environments, overcrowded refrigerators, or containers that are frequently opened increases the risk of spoilage, Stover says.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
Those prices are fluctuating wildly because the sellers themselves are setting them.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Between comfortable shoes for long walking days, lightweight layers for fluctuating temperatures, and versatile accessories like a structured tote bag, the total cost of your shopping spree can add up fast.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
And relying on personal vehicles means budgeting for expenses such as gas (often fluctuating), insurance, and general maintenance.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
And while some rentals in the area do offer on-site care at fluctuating market rates, as a Continuing Care Retirement Community(CCRC), the cost of care at Vi at Aventura is built into residents’ monthly fees, providing greater financial predictability and long-term value.
—Vi At Aventura, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Kalshi, like other prediction markets, allows users to buy contracts tied to political outcomes, with prices fluctuating as traders react to polls, election results and broader political developments.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
With spring’s fluctuating temperatures, the Define Jacket makes a great lightweight layer.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 1 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
Then there are the heights of the house, fluctuating greatly.
—Jerald “coop” Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Keeping bulk produce in warm or fluctuating temperatures, humid environments, overcrowded refrigerators, or containers that are frequently opened increases the risk of spoilage, Stover says.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
Those prices are fluctuating wildly because the sellers themselves are setting them.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Between comfortable shoes for long walking days, lightweight layers for fluctuating temperatures, and versatile accessories like a structured tote bag, the total cost of your shopping spree can add up fast.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
And relying on personal vehicles means budgeting for expenses such as gas (often fluctuating), insurance, and general maintenance.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
And while some rentals in the area do offer on-site care at fluctuating market rates, as a Continuing Care Retirement Community(CCRC), the cost of care at Vi at Aventura is built into residents’ monthly fees, providing greater financial predictability and long-term value.
—Vi At Aventura, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Kalshi, like other prediction markets, allows users to buy contracts tied to political outcomes, with prices fluctuating as traders react to polls, election results and broader political developments.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
With spring’s fluctuating temperatures, the Define Jacket makes a great lightweight layer.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
-
Flying is the company’s second Nova-C lander named Athena featuring NASA’s PRIME-1 drill, to land a drill and mass spectrometer near the south pole of the moon in order to demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and measure the volatile content of subsurface samples.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
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The story centers on a young couple (Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny) whose lives become entangled with their volatile boss and his wife (Isaac and Carey Mulligan) after witnessing a disturbing incident at an elite country club.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
19 Apr. 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
-
The mattress's latex core has a five-zone structure that provides varying levels of firmness tailored to support different areas of your body — with the most enhanced support in the mid-section to prevent your back from curving or sagging.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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This garden is the perfect example of how to combine rocks of varying sizes via paths and garden walls.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But home equity loan rates are fixed, which is an advantageous feature in today's economy, in which interest rate movements are unpredictable.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Social occasions might be unpredictable with cancellations or surprise invitations.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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However, boundaries have not been redrawn since the 1971 census, as successive governments delayed the process over concerns about uneven population growth.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Inspired by director Daniel Blake Schwartz’s real-life experiences, this striking debut feature charts the uneven cycles of addiction and recovery among several interconnected lives in Chelsea, Massachusetts with grit and emotional clarity.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dripping glitter, shimmering adhesive crystals, dramatic slashes of eyeliner and smudges of eyeshadow—there was a playful, shifting experimentalism here, to signal the young characters’ changeability and ingenuity.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
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Back then, the connection aimed to paint Zayn as a similarly paradigm-shifting artist—a pop icon, sure, but also an avatar of so many sociocultural dynamics.—
Sameer Rao,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 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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This progress addresses the requirement for high oxidation states, which typically makes material growth unstable under conditions that allow for superconductivity.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Her very reliable and efficient assistant Eunice (Seoyeon Jang) stands by her side but curries the jealous attention of unstable Ashley.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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