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
But few of the directors who would join V/H/S over the years that followed introduced a more memorable creature — a birdlike demon who oscillates from purring affection to ravenous rage — or so skillfully tracked the running bodies captured by a running camera.
—
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
The roughly five-minute sequence is shot in tight close-up on Day-Lewis, who oscillates between anger, pain and gleeful contempt.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
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
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
The roughly five-minute sequence is shot in tight close-up on Day-Lewis, who oscillates between anger, pain and gleeful contempt.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillates
Verb
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As fall weather often fluctuates between warmer, milder days and cooler ones, having the right wardrobe to accommodate the change in seasons is a must.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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As much as the action, which is tightly cut and usually alternates confidently between characters frantically on-the-move and other characters huddled in claustrophobic spaces, the storylines are held together by the performances.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
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The home team then alternates on the last three potential duels.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Barner holds his arms parallel to the ground and swings them side to side while slowly stomping forward like Godzilla demolishing a city.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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Because that pendulum swings the other way, too.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hundreds of baskets holding young oysters called spat are strung along a line that floats on the surface and sways like a long black snake in the water.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
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One call sways the difference of the game.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillates. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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