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
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
In fact, the styles have oscillated between dramatic extensions, protruding buns and messy waves.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
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
In fact, the styles have oscillated between dramatic extensions, protruding buns and messy waves.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillated
Verb
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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
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Since then, the count has fluctuated between 16 and 55 players, dropping again to only 7 players in 2024 and 2025.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Faced with the prospect of being overthrown or killed, Maduro has alternated between pleading for peace and warning the United States about his country's defense capabilities.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Broncos booed off the field after a first half that alternated between boring and embarrassing.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Doncic quickly swung the ball to Reaves after Minnesota sent two defenders his way, while Ayton’s defender (Rudy Gobert) went to pressure Reaves on the perimeter, briefly opening up a cutting lane for Ayton.—
Khobi Price,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
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In another potentially worrying sign for the president, younger Hispanics and Hispanic men — two groups that swung particularly dramatically toward him in last year’s election — also see him a bit more negatively.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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