undulate

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 Tension-set at 90-degree angles, the smaller stones appear like undulating waves. Jill Newman, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2025 These cookies get top marks for that undulating texture, and each cookie has a unique, complex, and, at times, subtle flavor to explore. Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025 Arnolds Field landfill, just half a mile from Claridge’s home in Rainham, is an undulating swatch of scrubby land spanning roughly 40 acres. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025 Located in the George Washington National Forest, the juxtaposition of the sparkling emerald water against the deep-green forest and undulating terrain that surrounds it is a sight to behold. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for undulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulate
Verb
  • Gamma rhythms, which oscillate about 30 to 90 times per second, have been thought to be particularly important for linking up different parts of the brain for perception, attention and memory.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Law plays Putin with Vikander as Baranov’s beautiful wife Ksenia, who oscillates between a desire for bohemian freedom and wealth and influence.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Withdrawals leading to walkovers were more common in the early years of the competition, partly why the number of matches per season fluctuated slightly in the opening decades.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • As a result, the gamma-ray signal doesn’t fluctuate with the month or the cycle of lunar phases.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rumble, the drum ensemble that keeps Chiefs fans moving at the games, beat out their rhythms while flag bearers waved giant Chiefs flags at the traffic passing the park.
    Chris Ochsner, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
  • That meant ladies could smile and wave with their makeup intact and gentlemen were comfortable in their suit jackets.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • From November to March, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve transforms into a vibrant, fluttering kingdom.
    Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Their tops and Tate’s hair fluttered in the breeze of a wind machine absurdly cranked up to Stage 4 hurricane levels.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Resonance, which is to vibrate with, is the principle of all change.
    Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • The imposing gothic details of Victor’s castle-laboratory—a portentous warrior-angel statue that comes to life, a screaming Medusa rondel carved in stone—vibrate with gloomy baroque majesty.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • On back-to-back pass plays, though, Ward held the ball too long and couldn’t shake the Broncos’ pass rush, resulting in back-to-back sacks that took the Titans outside field goal range.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • After a while, the lady shook her head.
    Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Street lights flickered on, even though the sunset wasn’t for another hour.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Scientists have continued to develop light-flickering stimulation to induce gamma-wave oscillations in Alzheimer's disease patients.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Testament of Ann Lee, a staggering, surreal musical charting the rise of the 18th-century religious sect the Shakers and their titular leader, as embodied by a wild-haired, convulsing Amanda Seyfried.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025
  • As arson and violence convulsed Black neighborhoods, white support for the movement plummeted.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Undulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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