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 Superimposed on this slow drift are smaller and more frequent oscillations known as nutations. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025 Instead, gravitational waves, as natural quantum oscillations of space-time itself, are enough in this model to create the density fluctuations that lead to matter developing structures like galaxies, stars, and planets. Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Scientists have continued to develop light-flickering stimulation to induce gamma-wave oscillations in Alzheimer's disease patients. New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025 Political oscillations are as much of a challenge to dealing with climate change as climate change itself. Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025 These oscillations, between the excited state and the de-excited state, are what cause the emission of light. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025 Stabilizing the oscillations following normal rules caused a slightly higher-than-usual voltage. IEEE Spectrum, 16 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillations
Noun
  • From even tiny initial seed fluctuations in the matter density of the Universe, star clusters, galaxies, groups and clusters of galaxies, and even larger structures like superclusters began to form.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The fluctuations will depend on demand, and could even occur within this Visa presale, as soon as Friday, when the next batch of lottery winners get their chance to purchase tickets.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The researchers included environmental effects, such as vibrations, that can disrupt or aid the flow of energy.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The receptors in your hands respond to myriad stimuli-like pressures—vibrations in sync with 15 different families of neurons.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • See latest data on cases, variants and more The recommendations come after upheaval at the CDC, including the ouster of its former Director Susan Monarez, who had resisted changes to vaccine policy advanced by Kennedy.
    Reuters, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Those changes helped turn the momentum back in Chelsea’s favour.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oscillations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillations. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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