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
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
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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The home team then alternates on the last three potential duels.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The project alternates between details of everyday life—imbued with a surreal, universal quality—and delicate, melancholic landscapes alongside portraits of figures suspended in time, inhabiting their own oneiric world.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Because that pendulum swings the other way, too.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
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Libra season swings you back and forth, packing your schedule.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One call sways the difference of the game.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hayley then flashes a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillates. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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