1
as in fluctuated
to move back and forth in a rhythmic manner
When a guitar string is plucked, it oscillates to produce sound waves in the air.
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2
as in alternated
to continuously change from one belief, feeling, or condition to an opposite one
The model's hair color oscillates between bleach blond and jet black.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oscillated
As news about the company has rolled in, Denver’s status with Flock has oscillated.
—
Kevin Collier, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
Not long after that, support for the policy oscillated among other officials.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Over the past three years, his sound has oscillated between folk and rock.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The work of Thierry Mugler, who founded the label in 1974, oscillated between old Hollywood, high camp, and outer space—and sometimes encompassed all three—but was always delivered by a fierce talent aided and abetted by a scalpel-sharp sense of form and fit.
—Mark Holgate, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
The ’90s nail palette oscillated between pastels, vibrant neons, and metallic tones, recalling the flashy aesthetics of music videos and commercials of the time.
—Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2025
Newcastle’s midfield trio oscillated horizontally to block the passing lanes into Tielemans and Rogers, as seen in this example in the 25th minute.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
For the past week, residents have oscillated between grief and fear after authorities said an Army veteran walked into The Owl Bar in Anaconda and opened fire.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
The cluster oscillated at one million deflections per second.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2025
Kevin Collier, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
Not long after that, support for the policy oscillated among other officials.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Over the past three years, his sound has oscillated between folk and rock.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The work of Thierry Mugler, who founded the label in 1974, oscillated between old Hollywood, high camp, and outer space—and sometimes encompassed all three—but was always delivered by a fierce talent aided and abetted by a scalpel-sharp sense of form and fit.
—Mark Holgate, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
The ’90s nail palette oscillated between pastels, vibrant neons, and metallic tones, recalling the flashy aesthetics of music videos and commercials of the time.
—Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2025
Newcastle’s midfield trio oscillated horizontally to block the passing lanes into Tielemans and Rogers, as seen in this example in the 25th minute.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
For the past week, residents have oscillated between grief and fear after authorities said an Army veteran walked into The Owl Bar in Anaconda and opened fire.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
The cluster oscillated at one million deflections per second.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillated
Verb
-
Florida State has fluctuated between big wins and crushingly close losses.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Finch cited Oklahoma City as an example of a team that changed the roles of players throughout its rotation depending on matchups, noting the minutes for Thunder Isaiah Hartenstein fluctuated.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hoss, now fifty, has alternated between the two mediums ever since.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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The mix of heritage footwear has become a throughline for the actor-director, who’s often alternated between vintage sportswear and Chanel tailoring on her press tour.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In Manassas Park, Virginia, a city that is nearly 40% Hispanic, the electorate swung 22 points to the left last week for Democratic Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger.—
Halle Troadec,
ABC News,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In May, the indictment said, Clase agreed to throw a ball at a certain point in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the batter swung, resulting in a strike, costing the bettors $4,000 in wagers.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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