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

Related Words

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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 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 With dramatic elevation changes, undulating greens, and ocean breezes, many holes present an enjoyable challenge along with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026 In terms of beauty, Zendaya has swapped out her bixie—for now—and worn her XXL hair in undulating waves and twisted crown-like braids. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026 These waves can cause undulating cloud patterns, as well as turbulence. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for undulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulate

Verb

According to Léna, the experiments included studying the dust in the corona (which was emitting infrared radiation), studying the oscillating hot gas in the corona, and studying the chromosphere.

— Dhananjay Khadilkar, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026
The sound waves cause the bubbles to oscillate, temporarily opening the BBB and allowing larger molecules to pass.

— Aaron Timm, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of oscillate

Verb

The number of protesters fluctuates, with certain days attracting larger crowds.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Between differing payment preferences, fluctuating exchange rates, and foreign transaction fees, visitors may find that staying financially flexible is just as important as planning the trip itself.

— TD Bank, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of fluctuate

Verb

More than two dozen friends and family traveled from Ohio and waved a Marietta College flag for each of his plate appearances.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Maia Kealoha, who plays Lilo, came onstage to introduce the film as a fuzzy Stitch waved to the crowd from onscreen.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of wave

Verb

These days, Jackson and her drag king character live in Ramsgate, a port town on England’s southeast coast where – much like Pat’s flag – strings of Union Jacks flutter along the harbor.

— Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of flutter

Verb

Styles’s fourth album revels in all those hours spent shouting euphoria into the ears of friends on dance floors and riding the bassy, body-vibrating techno loops until well after the sun comes up.

— Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Our apps ding on our phones and text messages vibrate on our smartwatches.

— Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of vibrate

Verb

First, Murdock recognized the Falcons setting up a screen and then shook off a block attempt by the pulling center and dropped running back Tyler Goodson for no gain.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
In quiet spaces, cues on whether the ground is shaking are distorted by our expectations.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

In the camp’s Cinema building, an old projector flickers to life on the scene where young Billy (Amanda Fix) loses her virginity, and the real Billy materializes behind Kris, hoping for a jump.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
The neon lights began to move about briskly, like gleaming whirligig beetles, and the lights on the advertising tower closest to the stadium flickered across the Squirrel-brand margarine ad.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of undulate

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