Synonyms of oscillates

oscillates

verb

present tense third-person singular of oscillate

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.

Related Words

• fluctuates
• undulates
• flickers
• rocks
• shakes
• waggles
• rolls
• lurches
• pitches
• swings
• sways
• vibrates
• careens
• wobbles
• seesaws
• wags
• flutters
• tosses
• vacillates
• staggers
• wavers
• falters
• jolts
• totters
• weaves
• toddles
• halts
• waddles
• flounders
• teeters
• tumbles
• reels
• stumbles
• hobbles
• jerks
• bucks
• blunders
• dodders
• hitches

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.

Related Words

• alternates
• swings
• fluctuates
• sways
• balances
• seesaws
• vacillates
• flip-flops
• wavers
• staggers
• falters
• hesitates
• dithers
• yo-yoes
• haws
• weighs
• halts
• teeters
• wobbles
• hems
• ponders
• hangs back
• deliberates
• debates
• considers
• scruples
• equivocates
• shilly-shallies
• hedges
• waffles
• pussyfoots

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of oscillates

This is a market that oscillates between wanting everything artificial intelligence infrastructure and wanting unrelated ideas, like drugmakers, health insurers and banks. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 23 July 2026

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