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

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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

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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 oscillation But tracking these oscillations and trading them day by day or hour by hour can be a full-time job, and most people already have full-time jobs. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025 Large-scale structure data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) began pouring in, showing features like baryon acoustic oscillations and again revealing that 5-to-1 dark matter to normal matter ratio. Big Think, 8 Apr. 2025 Mounting cosmic evidence DESI can measure what scientists call the baryon acoustic oscillation, or BAO, scale — essentially how events that occurred early in the universe left behind patterns in how matter is distributed across the cosmos. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 This escapement delivers two direct impulses to the balance with each oscillation, ensuring efficiency and a 72-hour power reserve. Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillation
Noun
  • British travelers, however, are largely impervious to currency fluctuations.
    Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 13 May 2025
  • When a customer's spend changes month to month, is that churn, expansion or just normal usage fluctuation?
    Alvaro Morales, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Thousands of sensors collect information: temperature, humidity, vibrations, foot traffic and energy flow.
    Dan Drogman, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • More: Photos: Millions without power in Spain, Portugal after 'induced atmospheric vibration' Spain's use of renewable energy as an increasing part of its electricity generation has come under scrutiny since the blackout, as has its plan to phase out nuclear energy by 2035.
    Pietro Lombardi, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Contributor Aging often comes with unwelcome changes, like joint stiffness, nerve pain, sleepless nights, and slowed recovery.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Until the recent policy changes, seven out of the 10 national organizations that partnered with the U.S. government to resettle refugees were faith-based.
    Tiffany Stanley, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillation. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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