oscillate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb oscillate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of oscillate are fluctuate, sway, swing, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

Where would fluctuate be a reasonable alternative to oscillate?

While the synonyms fluctuate and oscillate are close in meaning, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use sway instead of oscillate?

The words sway and oscillate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When is swing a more appropriate choice than oscillate?

The synonyms swing and oscillate are sometimes interchangeable, but swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

In what contexts can undulate take the place of oscillate?

The meanings of undulate and oscillate largely overlap; however, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When would vibrate be a good substitute for oscillate?

While in some cases nearly identical to oscillate, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When could waver be used to replace oscillate?

Although the words waver and oscillate have much in common, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oscillate During Bilbao’s Semana Grande, Jone oscillates between a sense of invincibility shared with her new girlfriend Olga and resistance to her father’s unique approach to managing his illness. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025 Her own instrumentation is her iconoclastic blend of classic and contemporary vocabulary oscillating between presentational formality and pedestrian nonchalance. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 Gazans’ support for the October 7 attack appears to have oscillated in recent months. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025 President Trump’s escalating trade tensions and oscillating policies with Canada, Mexico and China have sent the stock market reeling in recent days, and the Labor Department reported Wednesday that consumer prices ticked up during Trump’s first full month in office. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillate
Verb
  • The stock’s annual returns have fluctuated considerably, with a 45% gain in 2021, a sharp 89% decline in 2022, a strong rebound of 278% in 2023, and an exceptional 713% increase in 2024.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • While the recovery is promising, seasonal rainfall can fluctuate dramatically, increasing pressure on California's water infrastructure.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • The front of each letter is painted gray; their sides alternate between lime green and turquoise tones.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
  • During the repairs, Amtrak wants to close each of the two damaged tubes — the Nos. 1 and 2 — for alternating 13-month repair projects, effectively turning the tunnel into a three-tube structure for more than two years.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • The jet undulates up and down in ridges and troughs that help steer weather systems around in the northern hemisphere, from cold fronts to hurricanes.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Servers glide around with champagne on silver trays, hors d’oeuvres are stamped with the omnipresent B and dancers in golden bodysuits undulate with glowing orange orbs in homage to bitcoin’s signature hue.
    Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In between the European trips, Biden had swung back to the United States to be at home in Wilmington, Delaware, for the verdict of his son Hunter Biden's guns case trial.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Happ’s oblique bothered him the most when attempting to swing.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillate. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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