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
Yields on 20- and 30-year gilts, which are hovering around their highest levels since 1998, oscillated around the flatline on Wednesday afternoon.
—
Chloe Taylor,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 May 2026
In three games for Connor Ingram and one for Tristan Jarry, the goaltenders have oscillated between vaguely competent and actively bad.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Over the past couple of weeks, oil prices have oscillated between the $90-$100 a barrel range, having gone even higher during the conflict.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
On the stages, the music oscillated between vintage and cutting edge.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead of slowly fading as expected, the luminosity oscillated downward while the time between each fluctuation shortened.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
For decades, American presidents from both parties have oscillated between coercion and engagement with Iran, sometimes offering diplomacy, sometimes sanctions.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Italy has traditionally oscillated between European leadership and peripheral frustration.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Headlines oscillated between confidence and confusion.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Chloe Taylor,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 May 2026
In three games for Connor Ingram and one for Tristan Jarry, the goaltenders have oscillated between vaguely competent and actively bad.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Over the past couple of weeks, oil prices have oscillated between the $90-$100 a barrel range, having gone even higher during the conflict.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
On the stages, the music oscillated between vintage and cutting edge.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead of slowly fading as expected, the luminosity oscillated downward while the time between each fluctuation shortened.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
For decades, American presidents from both parties have oscillated between coercion and engagement with Iran, sometimes offering diplomacy, sometimes sanctions.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Italy has traditionally oscillated between European leadership and peripheral frustration.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Headlines oscillated between confidence and confusion.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillated
Verb
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His weight fluctuated and boils broke out under his arms and along his neck, said Ramos, who frequently speaks with Castillo and Otero via phone.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
But yields later shifted into positive territory and then fluctuated around the flatline.—
Chloe Taylor,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The competition between Morton and Staubach came to a head in 1971 after both started games and even alternated snaps at one point.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
-
The Canadiens had alternated wins and losses since winning Game 1 of their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In a matter of hours, the South Korean Kospi swung from a fresh record high, above the 8,000 milestone, to a 6% loss.—
Katie Foley,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
Rowles was one of several RedHawks who swung a big bat Wednesday afternoon during a 17-0 nonconference win in four innings over visiting Providence in Chicago.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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