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.
Related Words
Relevance
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.
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oscillating
Lasko Oscillating Ceramic Space Heater, $47 in cart The oscillating feature on this Lasko heater helps disperse warmth evenly throughout small- or medium-sized rooms.
—
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Merokeety Fall Oversized Batwing Lounge Set Fall temperatures are notoriously unpredictable, oscillating between hot and cold, so a sweatshirt-and-shorts duo like this set from Merokeety will prepare for both climates.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
Quadrupole ion traps use four electrode poles to generate oscillating electric fields that confine ions.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
That such harmony could exist between an object-maker like Calder and an object-denier like Duchamp, who dreamed of an art made only of ideas, suggests that the engines of art are always oscillating.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Hotter objects give off more heat; their waves are more energetic, oscillating with a shorter wavelength.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
However, memory stocks are typically highly cyclical, oscillating between boom and bust cycles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
And Rihanna at 37 is the blueprint for modern sexy, oscillating between sheer gowns and oversized coats, all while pregnant, never allowing herself to be boxed in.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 18 Aug. 2025
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Merokeety Fall Oversized Batwing Lounge Set Fall temperatures are notoriously unpredictable, oscillating between hot and cold, so a sweatshirt-and-shorts duo like this set from Merokeety will prepare for both climates.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
Quadrupole ion traps use four electrode poles to generate oscillating electric fields that confine ions.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
That such harmony could exist between an object-maker like Calder and an object-denier like Duchamp, who dreamed of an art made only of ideas, suggests that the engines of art are always oscillating.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Hotter objects give off more heat; their waves are more energetic, oscillating with a shorter wavelength.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
However, memory stocks are typically highly cyclical, oscillating between boom and bust cycles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
And Rihanna at 37 is the blueprint for modern sexy, oscillating between sheer gowns and oversized coats, all while pregnant, never allowing herself to be boxed in.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillating
Verb
-
The home is constructed with Nordic wood, which not only is lightweight and easy to work with, but also resistant to weathering and decay from rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and fungus—a must in the fluctuating Southern climates.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The decades since have been marked by fluctuating tensions, and relations in recent years on the peninsula have become more strained.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While alternating between Colony Club’s multiple lagoon pools and the beach was tempting, the many off-site excursions are not to be missed.—
Kate Van Dyke,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Rowland, on the other hand, prefers alternating between hot and cold therapies.—
Cheyenne Buckingham,
SELF,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Conrad recalled that the two had a spat that had been resolved before cameras began rolling, but claimed that the producers fueled a narrative to pit them against each other.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The duo was getting into character in the practice studio, as Bersten shared a video rolling the actress, who was holding a broomstick, across the dance floor.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Among seismic sports television changes during the past 50 years, the NBA’s new media rights deal, one that officially begins this week, isn’t quite as earth-shaking as CBS losing the NFL to Fox in 1994 or ABC losing Monday Night Football in 2005.—
Barry Jackson
Updated October 21,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The post shows video footage of the dog barking and shaking as floodwaters reached the dog's chest.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While Kevin started out pop rocking with his younger brothers Nick and Joe in 2005, the group’s members began to venture out by 2011, with Joe releasing his debut solo album, Fastlife, and Nick hitting the road with his side project, Nick Jonas & the Administration, that year.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
27 Oct. 2025
-
North's friend played the role of Usher, rocking an all-white outfit adorned with a single white glove — just like the musician wore — and lip-syncing into a microphone.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillating. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share