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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oscillations
The microscope captured collective oscillations of superconducting electrons.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
There’s not much to quibble with in the market’s to-and-fro oscillations among sectors and themes so far.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Casimir said the plates would act as a kind of guillotine for the electromagnetic field, chopping off long-wavelength oscillations in a way that would skew the zero-point energy.
—George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 5 Jan. 2026
Still others use the sun’s oscillations (essentially hot liquid earthquakes) to get a secondhand glance at its interior.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025
Because the experiments operate at different distances and energies, each captures complementary features of neutrino oscillations.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Certain kinds of atomic nuclei—including those of the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule—can be made to oscillate in a magnetic field, and these oscillations can be detected with coils of wire.
—David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2025
These oscillations tend to vary through the course of the winter season, and locally have a greater effect on our weather at times.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
Spain's main grid operator took steps to control the oscillations, including sending less power to France.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
There’s not much to quibble with in the market’s to-and-fro oscillations among sectors and themes so far.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Casimir said the plates would act as a kind of guillotine for the electromagnetic field, chopping off long-wavelength oscillations in a way that would skew the zero-point energy.
—George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 5 Jan. 2026
Still others use the sun’s oscillations (essentially hot liquid earthquakes) to get a secondhand glance at its interior.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025
Because the experiments operate at different distances and energies, each captures complementary features of neutrino oscillations.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Certain kinds of atomic nuclei—including those of the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule—can be made to oscillate in a magnetic field, and these oscillations can be detected with coils of wire.
—David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2025
These oscillations tend to vary through the course of the winter season, and locally have a greater effect on our weather at times.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
Spain's main grid operator took steps to control the oscillations, including sending less power to France.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillations
Noun
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With the lack of clinical data that drives personalization and innovation, women, who experience unique hormone fluctuations across the lifespan, have been underserved.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The space weather center warns that the material could bring possible glancing influences that could cause weak power grid fluctuations.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The blending of ages, vibrations, rich colors and the rhythmic beat captured the spirit of America.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The blending of ages, vibrations, rich colors and the rhythmic beat captured the spirit of America.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Climate change and warming oceans could potentially be driving sharks to the Southern Hemisphere’s colder waters, but there was limited data on range changes near Antarctica because of the region’s remoteness, Kyne said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
More changes are inevitable over the next month, but not like last year’s clear-cutting.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillations. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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