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
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
In fact, the styles have oscillated between dramatic extensions, protruding buns and messy waves.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
Jolie has oscillated from the fantastical, starring in 2021’s Eternals and the two Maleficent films, to the dramatic, appearing in last year’s Maria Callas biopic Maria.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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
In fact, the styles have oscillated between dramatic extensions, protruding buns and messy waves.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
Jolie has oscillated from the fantastical, starring in 2021’s Eternals and the two Maleficent films, to the dramatic, appearing in last year’s Maria Callas biopic Maria.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillated
Verb
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With average frame rates that fluctuated between the mid-50s to as high as mid-70s, the game took full advantage of the variable refresh rate and felt smooth as butter without much compromise.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
2 Oct. 2025
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Denver’s odds have fluctuated this season, rising from +4000 after Monday night’s dominant win over Cincinnati.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These are alternated by art galleries, which are also in sync with the approach the Dries Van Noten store was conceived.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
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Cabaret saw its grosses jump close to $250,000 from the prior week, to reach close to $630,000, and capacity also jumped to 91 percent from 68 percent as the understudies David Merino and Marty Lauter alternated in the lead role of the Emcee, taking over from Billy Porter.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As Houston started focusing more on eliminating shots around the basket, Atlanta swung the ball around the perimeter and created easy 3-point looks that drew frustrated timeouts from Udoka on multiple occasions.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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In the 2022 and 2024 cycles, pro-Israel groups swung into Democratic primaries, spending money against progressive critics of the Jewish state and keeping several out of Congress.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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