1
as in fluctuation
the frequent and usually sudden passing from one condition to another
fickle springtime weather in which there seemed to be an unceasing oscillation between unseasonable heat and unseasonable cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in vibration
a series of slight movements by a body back and forth or from side to side
the precise oscillations of the quartz crystal that allows a quartz watch to keep such accurate time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oscillation
Maybe this nonstop back-and-forth, this spiritual reverb, this throb-throb oscillation between the actual and the symbolic, the objective and the imagined, is the heartbeat of Moby-Dick.
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
That’s five times the oscillation degree of our other picks.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
One major natural factor in global temperatures is the El Nino/La Nina oscillation — a cyclic warming or cooling of the equatorial Pacific that changes weather across much of the planet.
—Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
But the high-speed footage acted like a time-lapse movie of the destruction, allowing the team to map every oscillation in real time.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
That’s five times the oscillation degree of our other picks.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
One major natural factor in global temperatures is the El Nino/La Nina oscillation — a cyclic warming or cooling of the equatorial Pacific that changes weather across much of the planet.
—Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
But the high-speed footage acted like a time-lapse movie of the destruction, allowing the team to map every oscillation in real time.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillation
Noun
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Support Your Eye Health Stable blood sugar helps reduce vision fluctuations and may slow DME progression.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Duration is a measure of a bond's price sensitivity to fluctuations in interest rates, and it's measured in years.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Both modules will link through final durability assessments using vibration fatigue methods.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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Those venues tend to be on lower decks — without cabins beneath them — and are generally designed to absorb sound, but passengers could still feel vibrations from the noise.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Iran has intensified its crackdown on dissent amid concerns war could trigger regime change.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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One way out is to imagine that dark energy — the culprit and driving force behind the accelerated expansion of the Universe — can in some way change over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The disease, which gets worse over time, starts with muscle twitching, slurred speech, or weakness in an arm or leg.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
20 Feb. 2026
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After 10 weeks without food, Muraisi is experiencing involuntary muscular twitching and severe chest pains, according to Prisoners for Palestine, with her doctors warning of possible cardiovascular collapse.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its strength ranges from mild, causing little more discomfort than a slight trembling, to severe, in which passengers or flight crew can be thrown around the cabin and risk injury if not wearing seatbelts.—
Cat Rainsford,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2026
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There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillation. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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