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 Real manta rays propel themselves by rhythmically flapping and undulating their enormous pectoral fins. — New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026 The pinkish squid glided two miles beneath the surface, its long, pale legs trailing from undulating fins, stunning scientists who know remarkably little about its diet, behavior or reproduction. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 An avant-garde pick, the Olivera floor lamp from Lulu and Georgia boasts an undulating wicker frame. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for undulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulate

Verb

Water waves caused by, say, 50 stones thrown into a pond have a wavelength of a few centimeters and oscillate with a frequency of around 10 hertz (Hz).

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
She’s joined by Alfaro on drums and Smith on bass against a colorful backdrop that oscillates from hot pink to deep blue.

— Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of oscillate

Verb

Many laboratory innovations fail when tested on real-world power grids, where fluctuating solar and wind energy subjects equipment to harsh operating cycles.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
This insulates these segments of the market from the effects of fluctuating mortgage rates.

— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of fluctuate

Verb

Before joining the postgame handshake line, Bidunga turned toward the KU student section in the south end zone, waved and blew a kiss goodbye to the same fans who had booed him during warmups, introductions and throughout the game.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
One notice was handed to Nasir Malik, a community activist in a New Delhi quarter called Mustafabad, who waved it around on a recent day.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of wave

Verb

The layout splits between a restaurant and a cocktail bar, with a listening lounge tucked into the back corner, whose walls come alive with flickering anime cartoons.

— Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Or to be up high and see that, down below, a town is just a grid spread out on a map and nothing more, a grid that flickers with lights that spark on as the darkness commences.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of undulate

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