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
The device is based on oscillating water column technology, which transforms wave motion into electricity by means of a turbine.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
The sphere at the top of the node bobs in the water, with the attached tube oscillating water within it, spinning turbines inside the structure that generate electricity.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Richard Mille says the manual winding system allows for a lighter, more streamlined build, without any pesky oscillating weight taking up space.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
In one form, called continuous wave EPR, the oscillating frequency conventionally is held steady, and the stronger field is swept through a range of values, necessitating a bulky specialized electromagnet.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
The four-speed, oscillating fan isn’t particularly fancy (sorry, no Matter support), but with summer right around the corner, the staff favorite is a practical pickup that can blow air up to 34 feet away.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2026
One of these experiment models, ABRACADABRA, employs high-sensitivity radio to capture the faint hum of axion’s oscillating magnetic fields thanks to the close cooperation of UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, men were overwhelmed, and many opened up to the possibility of feminism, doubled down, then opened up again, oscillating wildly between solidarity and oppression.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Vibration types Most vibration platform machines use either tri-planar or oscillating vibration.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
The sphere at the top of the node bobs in the water, with the attached tube oscillating water within it, spinning turbines inside the structure that generate electricity.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Richard Mille says the manual winding system allows for a lighter, more streamlined build, without any pesky oscillating weight taking up space.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
In one form, called continuous wave EPR, the oscillating frequency conventionally is held steady, and the stronger field is swept through a range of values, necessitating a bulky specialized electromagnet.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
The four-speed, oscillating fan isn’t particularly fancy (sorry, no Matter support), but with summer right around the corner, the staff favorite is a practical pickup that can blow air up to 34 feet away.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2026
One of these experiment models, ABRACADABRA, employs high-sensitivity radio to capture the faint hum of axion’s oscillating magnetic fields thanks to the close cooperation of UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, men were overwhelmed, and many opened up to the possibility of feminism, doubled down, then opened up again, oscillating wildly between solidarity and oppression.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Vibration types Most vibration platform machines use either tri-planar or oscillating vibration.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillating
Verb
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In practice, the real-world results are maddeningly inconsistent, with fuel savings fluctuating wildly between 2 percent and 25 percent.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
Evaluating downside risk is essential in fluctuating environments.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Continue to tap alternating shoulders.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
28 May 2026
-
To handle that overlap, inputs from the two eyes are organized into alternating bands of neurons, each preferentially responsive to one eye’s signal.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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With Arena Monterrey shaking, El Grande II hit a flying clothesline for a nearfall.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
YouTubers in their 20s are shaking things up in Hollywood.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Pamushana's infinity pool glitters to the cliff edge, beneath which is the Malilangwe Dam and panoramic views of rolling hills covered in green mopane woodland and orange sandstone cliffs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Anthropic, maker of Claude, one of the most popular artificial intelligence models on the market, has started the ball rolling on an initial public offering.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
1 June 2026
Verb
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First and foremost, as was first reported by Shanghai Daily, the child was not seriously injured, so if your first instinct was to fear retribution for laughing at the visual of a humanoid robot doing a Rex-Kwan-Do routine in a clown wig and rocking some little kid in the chest, then worry not.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
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Add to that the soothing rhythm of a cozy train rocking along its tracks, and everyday stresses start to melt away.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillating. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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