Thesaurus results for UNDULATE

Q: How does the verb 'undulate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of undulate are fluctuate , oscillate , sway , swing , vibrate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. // an undulating sea of grass

Q: When is 'fluctuate' a more appropriate choice than 'undulate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to undulate , fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: Where would 'oscillate' be a reasonable alternative to 'undulate'?

The words oscillate and undulate can be used in similar contexts, but oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. // an oscillating fan

Q: When can 'sway' be used instead of 'undulate'?

While the synonyms sway and undulate are close in meaning, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. // trees swaying in the breeze

Q: When might 'swing' be a better fit than 'undulate'?

Although the words swing and undulate have much in common, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: When would 'vibrate' be a good substitute for 'undulate'?

The meanings of vibrate and undulate largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. // the vibrating strings of a piano

Q: When is it sensible to use 'waver' instead of 'undulate'?

In some situations, the words waver and undulate are roughly equivalent. However, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. // the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate

verb

Definition of undulate

as in to oscillate

formal to move or be shaped like waves undulating hills an undulating surface

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb undulate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of undulate are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, swing, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When is fluctuate a more appropriate choice than undulate?

While in some cases nearly identical to undulate, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

Where would oscillate be a reasonable alternative to undulate?

The words oscillate and undulate can be used in similar contexts, but oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When can sway be used instead of undulate?

While the synonyms sway and undulate are close in meaning, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When might swing be a better fit than undulate?

Although the words swing and undulate have much in common, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When would vibrate be a good substitute for undulate?

The meanings of vibrate and undulate largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When is it sensible to use waver instead of undulate?

In some situations, the words waver and undulate are roughly equivalent. However, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

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 undulate Vietnam Nestled in Vietnam’s northern mountains, Sapa dazzles with emerald rice paddies dotted across undulating green hills. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 Just past the vestibule, party guests undulated to a runaway groove on a fifteen-foot-wide dance floor. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 An undulating white ceiling appears to float above bookshelves, reading areas and living trees. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The undulating synth lead seems tailored to mimic the tone and timbre of a classical Indian singer, a comparison borne out by the occasional flashes of vocal sample peeking through the mix. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for undulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulate

Verb

Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster this year, oscillating as traders react to flare-ups in fighting and monitor oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
But the Sunflower state has regularly oscillated between electing Democrats and Republicans in gubernatorial races in recent decades, and currently has a Democrat in the governor's mansion.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of oscillate

Verb

The amount of ozone in the atmosphere can fluctuate through the year, and October is typically the month in which there is the least ozone.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026
Because client needs can fluctuate, shift your team’s focus toward the highest-value opportunities without neglecting either side.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of fluctuate

Verb

The lingerers brought their dirty dishes to the bus tub, wiped their mouths one last time with a napkin, and waved to Cleo, their faces saying, Nice job!

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Caleb Flynn waved him down and said his wife had been shot and the intruder was not in the house, the sergeant testified.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of wave

Verb

Tribute upon floral tribute—their petals, leaves, and memorial cards fluttering in the gentle breeze.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
The first model emerged onto a sinuous runway in a nubuck coat paired with chiffon pants that fluttered in the breeze, revealing knee-high calfskin boots.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of flutter

Verb

Sound in modern brass instruments, such as French horns, trombones, and trumpets, is produced when the player vibrates their lips against a metal mouthpiece, moving air through the instrument’s tubing.

— Kara Rogers, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026
And the universal consciousness of light that vibrated at my frequency is what saved me.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of vibrate

Verb

In the coastal village of Quinhagak, the storm shook houses and damaged some buildings and infrastructure.

— Samantha Watson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
Some Providence parents shook their heads as the clock wound down; others shouted expletives toward school administrators and Nazareth players.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

To be fair, Snyder, who’s also credited as the film’s cinematographer, captures no shortage of admittedly stirring images throughout, especially those involving flickering light and brooding shadows.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
The stadium lights flickered off, and both teams stood awkwardly as officials huddled at the 20-yard line.

— David Ubben, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of flicker

Verb

Simply to give us the gruesome scene of the kid convulsing to death while leaking blood from his eyes, nose, and mouth.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of convulse

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“Undulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulate. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of undulate

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