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
This is the intriguing backdrop for a narrative that never really grips us, even if Chong has an artful way of depicting Hong Im’s lifestyle, which oscillates between real-world issues and religious wizardry.
—
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
This one falls in the medium-firm category for support with just enough give to keep me comfortable, and as a person who oscillates between being too hot and too cold, the temperature regulation from season to season helps a lot.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
This one falls in the medium-firm category for support with just enough give to keep me comfortable, and as a person who oscillates between being too hot and too cold, the temperature regulation from season to season helps a lot.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillates
Verb
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Most astronomers believe its diameter fluctuates from about 400 million miles to over 800 million miles.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
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That leaves 28,461 vehicles – although that number fluctuates daily – eligible to be towed, Knox said in an email.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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And in our car, whoever is in the front seat gets to play the music, and that alternates day-to-day.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
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Among the services offered there is contrast therapy, which alternates heat and cold to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle soreness.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When Bz points north, Earth’s field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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At 21 seconds, the person filming the video drives past the confrontation, and the camera swings to the other side of the street as someone in the car yells profanities.—
Kif Leswing,Terri Cullen,
CNBC,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That sways decisions from time-to-time.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Coogan stretches his massive wingspan and sways to the music as the on-air countdown ticks toward zero.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillates. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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