Synonyms of undulate

undulate

verb

as in to oscillate

formal to move or be shaped like waves

undulating hills

an undulating surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oscillate
• fluctuate
• wave
• flutter
• vibrate
• shake
• flicker
• convulse
• quiver
• shudder
• sway
• jiggle
• agitate
• wobble
• tremble
• wabble
• bucket
• jerk
• quake
• jolt
• shiver
• swing
• rock
• jounce
• joggle
• judder
• beat
• chatter
• thrill
• pulsate
• twitch
• quaver
• waver
• throb
• palpitate
• pulse
• dodder
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

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

Recent Examples of undulate

The jet undulates up and down in ridges and troughs that help steer weather systems around in the northern hemisphere, from cold fronts to hurricanes. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

Servers glide around with champagne on silver trays, hors d’oeuvres are stamped with the omnipresent B and dancers in golden bodysuits undulate with glowing orange orbs in homage to bitcoin’s signature hue. —Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025

Consider a morning stroll along Mendocino Trail, which undulates along the continent’s edge for miles, delivering a symphonic show of rolling waves and squawking sea birds, who sing their wild tunes from the top of dramatic rock formations. —Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2025

Pull them back, and an undulating wall of textural sound will come to greet you. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025

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