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
The operational detector will precisely image interactions using detailed 3D tracking, enabling measurement of neutrino oscillations, as well as differences between neutrinos and antineutrinos.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
The Dual-Flex uses internal oscillation (60°) to spread heated airflow through the room.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
The soft tick of a hi-hat pushes everything forward, and the space between each oscillation gets wider and wider, eventually melting away.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
The Dual-Flex uses internal oscillation (60°) to spread heated airflow through the room.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
The soft tick of a hi-hat pushes everything forward, and the space between each oscillation gets wider and wider, eventually melting away.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillation
Noun
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The fluctuations continued a period of extreme market volatility this week that saw prices reach almost $120 on Monday.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Headrick and the Yankees believe the velocity fluctuations occurred because the pitcher was still transitioning from being a starter in Minnesota’s organization.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But Vanek also has people round their back into turtle pose, using humming breaths to connect with vibration-sensing creatures, and using the outstretched arms of some poses to greet new snake visitors.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
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In these materials, applying an electric field aligns small electric charges within the crystal structure, reducing the scattering of heat-carrying vibrations.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Scientists say the ice cap is an extraordinary trove of data about pre-industrial human activity and environmental change.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Twenty-four hours later, changes were readily apparent in the prefrontal cortex.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 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,
15 Mar. 2026
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Moderate shaking impacted 19,000 people near the temblor’s epicenter.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 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 19 Mar. 2026.
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