1
as in fluctuating
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 alternating
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 oscillating
Pedretti, meanwhile, commits fully to her bimbo persona, oscillating between titillating absurdism and unexpected discomfort.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Cyrus herself has worn both hair colors many, many times in the past, oscillating from a bleach-blonde platinum crop in her Bangerz days to a Debbie Harry-esque halo to warm brunette.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Newtonian physics — that is, the basic physics of gravity according to Isaac Newton's law of gravitation — contains a full set of oscillating modes for a regular object.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Monitored across 200 days by astronomers at the LCO, SN 2024afav’s brightness periodically dipped, oscillating back and forth, with the time between dips getting shorter and shorter over the course of the measurement.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
The sound breathes, oscillating between close instrumentation and wafting voices.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
March is the ultimate transitional month, full of days oscillating between brisk winter temperatures and sunny springtime moments.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Like many recent theater school grads, Dela Cruz was still trying to find his niche as a performer, oscillating between the pursuits of ethnic ambiguity — a casting asset — and cultural identity.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
He’s known as a kind of technological monk, oscillating between prankster and doomsayer.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Cyrus herself has worn both hair colors many, many times in the past, oscillating from a bleach-blonde platinum crop in her Bangerz days to a Debbie Harry-esque halo to warm brunette.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Newtonian physics — that is, the basic physics of gravity according to Isaac Newton's law of gravitation — contains a full set of oscillating modes for a regular object.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Monitored across 200 days by astronomers at the LCO, SN 2024afav’s brightness periodically dipped, oscillating back and forth, with the time between dips getting shorter and shorter over the course of the measurement.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
The sound breathes, oscillating between close instrumentation and wafting voices.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
March is the ultimate transitional month, full of days oscillating between brisk winter temperatures and sunny springtime moments.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Like many recent theater school grads, Dela Cruz was still trying to find his niche as a performer, oscillating between the pursuits of ethnic ambiguity — a casting asset — and cultural identity.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
He’s known as a kind of technological monk, oscillating between prankster and doomsayer.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillating
Verb
-
Data shows battery, homicide, arson and auto thefts fluctuating most frequently.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Chances of rain and thunderstorms increase Tuesday night and last through Saturday, fluctuating between 20 to 60%.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Continue to hone each edge for about 10 strokes on each side, alternating sides with each pass.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Jonasi and reps for Lebo M didn’t respond to emails seeking comment, but the two have been busy on social media, making alternating statements and sub-posting each other for weeks.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The fine powder is very messy to work with, however, so simply shaking it onto your chain wouldn't be practical.—
Ben Coxworth
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But in the top of the third in a scoreless game, Ponce attempted to field a ground ball and suffered a non-contact injury, hopping for a few seconds in pain before rolling to the dirt.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The living and dining rooms are refined entertaining spaces, while the open-concept family room serves as the heart of the home with walls of windows providing views of the pool, backyard and rolling fairways beyond.—
Judi Wright,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Technically, Brown’s been rocking a horseshoe or biker mustache.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
-
At a certain point, Frenza’s rocking transcends her hips, seems to come from something greater than her, from her very essence.—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillating. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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