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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Recent Examples of oscillated
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
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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Withdrawals leading to walkovers were more common in the early years of the competition, partly why the number of matches per season fluctuated slightly in the opening decades.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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However, the total number of states at this price point for gas has fluctuated over the summer.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As a result, for decades, two mainstream political parties on the left and right alternated in power.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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When Venezuela began ratcheting up tensions against Guyana in mid-2024, the Biden administration again alternated between carrots and sticks.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For a locker room that’s been through a lot because the front office swung and missed on the worst quarterback trade in NFL history.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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