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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of undulating
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
In 2019, the Lodge at Blue Sky (from $1,349 per night) opened on a 3,500-acre nature preserve just above Park City, with undulating, organic architecture that echoes the peaks and valleys.
—Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
Margot Robbie's undulating mane incorporates long layers to add dimension and movement.
—Krista Carter, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Few have such personality as this one with its thick frame and undulating border.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
Granite boulders and undulating rock formations surrounded by namesake Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) majestically reside among nearly 800 species of plants, from annually blooming wildflowers, to hardy bushes and palms, to 15 types of colorful and peculiar cacti.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Koobideh, always the popular kid of kebabs, is made at Berenjak in a style using lamb shoulder so finely ground that the meat resembles tiny, distinct sausages, rather than an unbroken shape formed in undulating patterns over the skewer.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The center is engraved in a pattern of undulating rays emanating from the hour and minute guichets (windows), meant to resemble the edges of clouds pierced through with sunlight.
—Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The layout is a great walk, with UK-style rolling, undulating fairways that give it its name.
—Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
Verb
Styled by Rose and Mackenzie Grandquist, Jenner wore a cream halterneck made of undulating ruffles, paired with a swishy, double-layer black and cream skirt that cascaded into a liquidy train.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
In 2019, the Lodge at Blue Sky (from $1,349 per night) opened on a 3,500-acre nature preserve just above Park City, with undulating, organic architecture that echoes the peaks and valleys.
—Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
Margot Robbie's undulating mane incorporates long layers to add dimension and movement.
—Krista Carter, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Few have such personality as this one with its thick frame and undulating border.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
Granite boulders and undulating rock formations surrounded by namesake Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) majestically reside among nearly 800 species of plants, from annually blooming wildflowers, to hardy bushes and palms, to 15 types of colorful and peculiar cacti.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Koobideh, always the popular kid of kebabs, is made at Berenjak in a style using lamb shoulder so finely ground that the meat resembles tiny, distinct sausages, rather than an unbroken shape formed in undulating patterns over the skewer.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The center is engraved in a pattern of undulating rays emanating from the hour and minute guichets (windows), meant to resemble the edges of clouds pierced through with sunlight.
—Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The layout is a great walk, with UK-style rolling, undulating fairways that give it its name.
—Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulating
Adjective
-
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
-
Unfortunately, basements experience fluctuating temperatures and high humidity levels, which can cause severe damage to materials like wood and fabric, especially in the winter.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Your weight is fluctuating for no apparent reason Poor gut microbiome health can really mess with your metabolism, which can lead to weight changes.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This super cute manicure features red, coral, and pink wavy stripes going down the middle of each nail like a winding road, while little white hearts and dots dance down the line.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
-
It’s designed with a round neck and a pleated, wavy texture that gives it an elevated look, perfect for dressier itineraries.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The metallic silver dress featured dense sequins, subtle corsetry through the waist, and a fluttering midiskirt that shifted with movement.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
-
With 10 minutes to spare before a rally at the intersection of 45th Street and Lamar Boulevard, at least 50 protesters were already showing up with drums, saxophones, homemade signs and fluttering American flags to protest ICE's killing of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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
-
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
-
Even here, at the premiere, scores of demonstrators, herded behind police barricades and security fencing, were waving signs and shouting at attendees.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Honnold successfully reached the summit of the 101-story steel building in just an hour and 31 minutes, waving his arms in victory at the top.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While Beijing has rolled out trade-in subsidies to spur sales of cars and appliances, the rebound in spending has been uneven.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
More clients mean uneven cash timing.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulating. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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