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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oscillates
The fan delivers powerful whole-room airflow that reaches up to 23 feet and oscillates 90 degrees to distribute cool air more evenly throughout the space.
—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
According to Bodine, public discourse around artificial intelligence often oscillates between unchecked optimism and outright resistance, leaving little room for more measured conversations about responsible implementation.
—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Like the albums themselves, the experience constantly oscillates between dread and beauty, alienation and intimacy.
—
Jonathan Cohen,
SPIN,
12 May 2026
The fan also oscillates at a 70-degree angle and can cover a large portion of the room, distributing cool air throughout.
—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
According to SnowBrains, Lake Tahoe is now sitting well above its typical winter level, a development water managers view as encouraging in a region that frequently oscillates between drought and downpours.
—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Nett isn’t exactly known for lyrical acumen, but his punch-in-and-trail-off delivery stands out on an album that oscillates unevenly between party highlight reel and war story.
—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
Wall Street often oscillates between hope and fear, euphoria and despair.
—
Zachary Karabell,
Washington Post,
27 Feb. 2026
Instead of the requisite Caesar salad, Kolender offers chicories dressed in an anchovy and black garlic vinaigrette that oscillates between sweet and deeply savory.
—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
According to Bodine, public discourse around artificial intelligence often oscillates between unchecked optimism and outright resistance, leaving little room for more measured conversations about responsible implementation.
—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Like the albums themselves, the experience constantly oscillates between dread and beauty, alienation and intimacy.
—
Jonathan Cohen,
SPIN,
12 May 2026
The fan also oscillates at a 70-degree angle and can cover a large portion of the room, distributing cool air throughout.
—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
According to SnowBrains, Lake Tahoe is now sitting well above its typical winter level, a development water managers view as encouraging in a region that frequently oscillates between drought and downpours.
—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Nett isn’t exactly known for lyrical acumen, but his punch-in-and-trail-off delivery stands out on an album that oscillates unevenly between party highlight reel and war story.
—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
Wall Street often oscillates between hope and fear, euphoria and despair.
—
Zachary Karabell,
Washington Post,
27 Feb. 2026
Instead of the requisite Caesar salad, Kolender offers chicories dressed in an anchovy and black garlic vinaigrette that oscillates between sweet and deeply savory.
—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillates
Verb
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Consumer spending typically fluctuates during major events, with activity often peaking around marquee matchups, weekend games and knockout-round contests that attract larger crowds and longer visitor stays.
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The movement, with an 80-hour power reserve and a frequency of 4 Hz, is also home to a perpetual calendar and an equation of time display, showing the difference between mean solar time, shown on the main dial, and true solar time, which fluctuates due to the Earth’s elliptical orbit.
Verb
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The Panthers have more than enough leadership to go around in their dressing room beyond captain Aleksander Barkov and alternates Matthew Tkachuk and Aaron Ekblad.
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The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers.
Verb
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The trail undulates a bit over rocky rises and occasionally detours into the woods, but experienced hikers shouldn't have any problems.
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Miller also strategically employs the Pietà in his Confederate Women’s Monument, turning to Michelangelo’s later Depositional group from the Pietà Bandini, in which the dead Christ is not draped on Mary’s lap and knees but undulates across the bodies of his earthbound beloveds.
Verb
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But the blueness of these districts does mean that the socialists will get elected and likely survive when the pendulum swings back to the Republicans.
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The map introduces the armored Oni, which swings a spiked kanabō, plus Scorched Zombies and fiery Hellhounds tied to its lava-field hazards.
Verb
-
As the water sways and the flowers blow, 120 wooden crosses now line the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.
-
In its dynamic equilibrium, our system sways like a grand old tree in the wind.
Cite this Entry
“Oscillates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillates. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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