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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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 The mountains, undulating pasture and forest that surround Lanserhof Lans are a potent medicine in themselves. — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 Replacing the dots used on previous colorways, undulating lines run run 360 degrees across the sneaker in silver above a black mesh base, and the motif repeats again on the tongue. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 The twisting blacktop was built for travelers seeking Appalachian overlooks and a panoramic drive for all seasons, with undulating slopes of color in the fall and a bounty of forest canopy in summer. — Sarah Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026 In its place, the landscape turns to gently undulating hills spangled with cows or draped with vineyards. — Alissa Greenberg, Mercury News, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for undulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulate

Verb

For decades Washington has oscillated between trying to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and trying to sidestep it.

— Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Each cluster contained a simple RLC resonator — a resistor, capacitor, and inductor, a combination that creates an oscillating electrical signal at a particular frequency.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026

Definition of oscillate

Verb

While the exact multiples will fluctuate with earnings estimates, all three companies trade at valuations that appear reasonable relative to their competitive advantages, growth prospects and historical trading ranges.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 14 July 2026
The annual average tuition rate fluctuated between $41 and $59, equivalent to between $1,586 and $2,194 today.

— Thomas Adam, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of fluctuate

Verb

The question is whether Thompson will shake free from the Mavericks, either through a buyout or trade.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
The wine and cocktail menu sports a few local makers too, including Gruet Winery’s sparkling wine and Hollow Spirits vodka, which is shaken into the restaurant’s take on a Vesper martini.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

Approximately the size of a dining-room table, the canvas has fifteen people distributed along a set of stairs in front of a mosque, all of them flickering with very different kinds of life.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Preclinical work and a feasibility study found that flickering light and sound at 40 Hz for an hour a day had potential to slow cognitive decline and volume loss in parts of the brain critical for memory.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026

Definition of flicker

Verb

The climbdown reflects the fact that, while America has been convulsed by a culture war over eligibility for female sports, the wider sporting world has moved on.

— Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Britain was convulsed for years by the difficulty of agreeing to terms of divorce with Europe.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 25 June 2026

Definition of convulse

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“Undulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of undulate

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