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
Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The simple walking pattern adopted by fish, which the Cambridge researchers call an ‘undulating tripod gait’, can appear to be quite clumsy and involves too much flopping.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Puglia’s Adriatic coast is dramatic, especially between Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, where clear waters lap undulating cliffs and flow into the occasional sea cave.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
Suddenly, the undulating fields are sparkling in the moist air, redolent with the incongruous scents of peat and political oppression.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
The Crown alum made a glittering entrance in a black gown complete with an undulating three-dimensional element.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 22 May 2026
With favorites falling to the wayside all over the undulating greens at Aronimink Golf Club, the ever-unflappable Scheffler sits atop the leaderboard after the opening day’s golf in Philadelphia.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The undulating landscape lends itself to scenic horseback riding with outfits like Na’alapa Stables, which carries on the tradition of the paniolo cowboys who have herded cattle in the grassy highlands since the late 1800s.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
SeaWorld’s sister park in Orlando, Florida, already hosts a nighttime drone show that features undulating manta rays, paddling sea turtles and hovering octopuses.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Verb
Passengers are treated to rare desert vistas that aren’t visible from surrounding interstates as the train glides by vast ranches, undulating mountains, and scenic pueblos.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The simple walking pattern adopted by fish, which the Cambridge researchers call an ‘undulating tripod gait’, can appear to be quite clumsy and involves too much flopping.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Puglia’s Adriatic coast is dramatic, especially between Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, where clear waters lap undulating cliffs and flow into the occasional sea cave.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
Suddenly, the undulating fields are sparkling in the moist air, redolent with the incongruous scents of peat and political oppression.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
The Crown alum made a glittering entrance in a black gown complete with an undulating three-dimensional element.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 22 May 2026
With favorites falling to the wayside all over the undulating greens at Aronimink Golf Club, the ever-unflappable Scheffler sits atop the leaderboard after the opening day’s golf in Philadelphia.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The undulating landscape lends itself to scenic horseback riding with outfits like Na’alapa Stables, which carries on the tradition of the paniolo cowboys who have herded cattle in the grassy highlands since the late 1800s.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
SeaWorld’s sister park in Orlando, Florida, already hosts a nighttime drone show that features undulating manta rays, paddling sea turtles and hovering octopuses.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
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
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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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From a safety perspective, fluctuating temperatures and exposure to warm air can promote bacteria growth.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
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Meanwhile, Roberts turned to the score, discovering similar emotions of falling and destruction in a fluctuating chorus.—
Steven Vargas,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The self-winding mechanical movement is also equipped with an 18-karat pink-gold oscillating weight and balance bridge—done up in the material specifically for this collection.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 June 2026
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What follows is a candid discussion oscillating between the core components of Wachowski’s filmmaking philosophies and her experiences in gender transition, with aspirations towards a prolific future all the while.—
Nick Newman,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Kerry Washington makes a chic appearance in a long wavy locks and a camel skirt co-ord at the screening and Q&A for Django Unchained in Los Angeles on May 29.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
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Spears, who in recent years has been styling her platinum blonde mane in wavy locks, opted for a sleek, straight look.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Roswell visitors spent the weekend surrounded by fluttering wings, native plants, and hands-on learning as the Chattahoochee Nature Center kicked off its annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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Video showed the Israeli flag fluttering from atop the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle while black smoke billowed from the nearby town of Arnoun.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Each spring the skies over central Nebraska fill with a special sound—a rolling, trumpeting, almost prehistoric chorus—as a slew of sandhill cranes descend on the wide and shallow reaches of the Platte River.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Allegheny National Forest, just around 90 minutes from Erie, Pennsylvania, enchants with rolling peaks that reflect off calm, paddle-friendly waterways.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Or maybe the big beach at Laguna after waving to The Greeter, with an hour during the late afternoon to browse the Pottery Shack with Mom.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Her mother, Tamara Reed-Holman — who qualified for state in four events for Decatur McArthur in 1990 and ran for Illinois State — was in the crowd at O’Brien Field in Charleston waving back.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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While this novel is at times engaging and even includes one surprising turn, much is uneven – either predictable or requiring a huge suspension of disbelief.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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An InStyle tester, who has combination skin with uneven tone and fine lines, was impressed with the cream’s thick, cushiony texture, and experienced zero flaking when using it with tretinoin.—
Jenny Berg,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulating. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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