oscillations

plural of oscillation
1
as in fluctuations
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 vibrations
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 oscillations And the disturbing oscillations are a journey from uncertainty to insight, a train ride from introspection to moral resolution. Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026 Outside the lab Wideband oscillations have previously been linked to major disruptions in power systems. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026 On 28 April 2025, a series of power oscillations, voltage gaps, and reactive power control failures set off a cascade of disconnections across the Iberian Peninsula. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2026 Hoell and his colleagues analyzed nearly four decades of El Niño and La Niña oscillations and wildfire burn areas to understand how often the fire season mirrors the climate cycle. Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 Rapid oscillations trigger muscle contractions that can indirectly support lymph movement. Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 When two black holes collide, their song ripples through the very fabric of existence, creating a thundering chorus of oscillations in spacetime that echo across the universe like the fading gong of a bell. Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 26 June 2026 Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes the oscillations. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 June 2026 The computer simulations enabled the team to break down those different sizes, revealing that the initial tail oscillations produce large vortex rings that generate thrust, and those larger ones then produce many more smaller vortices. ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillations
Noun
  • Wideband oscillations are rapid electrical fluctuations that can, in fact, destabilize renewable power systems.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • For women, the hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause can add another layer of brain fog, difficulty concentrating and trouble recalling words or information.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Lifepro's Rumblex has three powerful motors for oscillating, pulsating and lateral vibrations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Once the inspection is complete, it should be followed by a road test to check for unusual noises, vibrations, or drivability concerns.
    John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • On Thursday, the judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days' notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Then come television timeouts, replay reviews, possession changes and breaks between quarters.
    Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oscillations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillations. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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