as in undulant
rising and falling in a wavelike pattern
The undulating terrain was difficult to traverse on foot.
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as in fluctuating
formal
to move or be shaped like waves
undulating hills an undulating surface
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Recent Examples of undulating
Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Hadid’s hair—a decidedly lighter blonde for the holidays—was styled in a breezy blowout with undulating waves and a nostalgic side-part.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
The space was replete with the repetitive knocking of drumsticks, the undulating rhythm of Qur’anic prayers, and the gut-wrenching murmur of lamentation coming from That is not still (Sesuatu yang tidak berdiam), a 2024 video work about Indonesia’s diverse soundscape.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Outside the dome, a series of machines connected by undulating pipes moves the CO2 out of the dome for compressing and condensing.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Dec. 2025
The bridge connects parts of the region fragmented by the undulating sea coast and river estuaries, and is the only main route towards Moldova's border crossings to the west.
—Yuliia Dysa, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
Three legal firms were engaged to oversee the planting of 2,050 poles, each 62 feet apart, embedded 3 feet into the ground that, together, would suspend 165,000 yards of fire-resistant nylon fabric over and across the undulating landscape.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
By the late 1970s, Swiss architect Peter Vetsch introduced his Earth House communities—domed structures built into hillsides, their undulating interiors offering a sustainable alternative to conventional housing.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
So much of Brazil strains the imagination—the interminable skyline of São Paulo, the beaches of Rio curving between monoliths of granite, the aquamarine pools trapped between the undulating dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses.
—William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Homes are often designed with a horizontal orientation, mirroring the undulating terrain, and roofs are pitched with muted colors that recede into the background.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Hadid’s hair—a decidedly lighter blonde for the holidays—was styled in a breezy blowout with undulating waves and a nostalgic side-part.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
The space was replete with the repetitive knocking of drumsticks, the undulating rhythm of Qur’anic prayers, and the gut-wrenching murmur of lamentation coming from That is not still (Sesuatu yang tidak berdiam), a 2024 video work about Indonesia’s diverse soundscape.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Outside the dome, a series of machines connected by undulating pipes moves the CO2 out of the dome for compressing and condensing.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Dec. 2025
The bridge connects parts of the region fragmented by the undulating sea coast and river estuaries, and is the only main route towards Moldova's border crossings to the west.
—Yuliia Dysa, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
Three legal firms were engaged to oversee the planting of 2,050 poles, each 62 feet apart, embedded 3 feet into the ground that, together, would suspend 165,000 yards of fire-resistant nylon fabric over and across the undulating landscape.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
By the late 1970s, Swiss architect Peter Vetsch introduced his Earth House communities—domed structures built into hillsides, their undulating interiors offering a sustainable alternative to conventional housing.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
So much of Brazil strains the imagination—the interminable skyline of São Paulo, the beaches of Rio curving between monoliths of granite, the aquamarine pools trapped between the undulating dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses.
—William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulating
Adjective
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Our drills included hours of seamlessly merging poetry with three chords, providing me with an undulant field to riff on.—
Patti Smith,
New Yorker,
1 Nov. 2025
-
As the undulant hills beyond the valley turned blue in front of me, a cat sauntered onto the veranda and wound its tail around my ankles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Plus, Malekzadeh said that the estrogen changes in the rats happened abruptly, which doesn’t reflect the gradual and fluctuating loss women experience due to perimenopause and menopause.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
7 Jan. 2026
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Hydrangea plants also benefit from protection against fluctuating winter temperatures, which can disturb the roots and crown.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Another tool is an oscillating multi-tool equipped with a masonry blade.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
5 Jan. 2026
-
An oscillating fan hung on a cinder block wall in the one of the rooms caused an electrical fire, Beal said.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The Australian actor debuted long retro sideburns and long dark wavy hair while telling the real-life story of a Neil Diamond tribute band in Song Sung Blue opposite Kate Hudson last year.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Lubeck, who has aquamarine eyes and long, wavy hair, cuts an ethereal figure, like an elven noble.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Consisting of wispy layers that create soft movement, akin to fluttering butterfly wings, the cut is a popular option for cascading long lengths.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Soft amber light illuminates gold jewelry, glossy lips, and brightly fabrics fluttering in the ocean breeze.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Tensor frames the platform as a rolling data center, with autonomy as its core function rather than an add-on feature.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
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Those whose water supply comes from private wells and who are located within half a mile of the site of the spill are advised to distill or boil (at a rolling boil for at least one minute) all water for consumption.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Last week, Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was on stage in front of his supporters, waving his hands and dancing, seemingly oblivious to the danger that awaited him.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Drone shows use hundreds of small drones hooked up with LED lights to fly into the night sky and display moving images, like a waving American flag.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Future work will focus on integrating snow-deposition modeling with PV yield simulations to more accurately predict energy losses and on expanding analyses to more complex, uneven alpine terrain.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Trojans' uneven season hasn't exactly helped slow rumors either.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulating. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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