1
as in fluctuates
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 alternates
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 oscillates
Dano is joined by Jude Law as Putin; Alicia Vikander as Baranov’s beautiful wife Ksenia, who oscillates between a desire for bohemian freedom and wealth and influence, and Will Keen as real-life late oligarch Boris Berezovsky, a former ally of the Russian leader who became an exiled critic.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
The electrical voltage of nerve cells oscillates up and down once per second, according to the press release.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
The electrical voltage of nerve cells oscillates up and down once per second, according to the press release.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillates
Verb
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Looking ahead, the storage system is expected to regulate supply and demand from renewable energy, which fluctuates with the weather and time of day and contributes to carbon neutrality.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Aug. 2025
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The number of people at Alligator Alcatraz fluctuates daily and has dropped drastically since the beginning of the month, as a federal judge weighs whether to shut down the site.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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From there, Denver alternates between home and away for the first week.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Aug. 2025
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The Tall Ships Challenge, hosted by Tall Ships America, alternates its annual tours between the Great Lakes and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Why Regeneration, Not Reinvention Whenever HR is critiqued, the pendulum swings toward reinvention.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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With Venice the fall’s first awards season launchpad, eyes will be keenly trained on how the jury swings tonight.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The museum gets off with a bang by taking guests on a simulated trip to space in a high-tech elevator lined with pin-sharp ultra-HD screens and a floor which gently sways to simulate zero gravity.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Yet, across the water, a seemingly impenetrable wall of the invasive plants sways in the wind, several feet tall.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillates. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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