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
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026
Anchored by Tainy’s masterful production, the song’s undulating reggaetón foundation intertwines with futuristic electronic textures, giving it a glimmering pulse.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2026
The undulating frame hangs above a stone console table, adding depth to the all-white hall.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Ten thousand cattails were used to create thin vertical rods, which were affixed to the perimeter of an octagonal skylight, creating a chapel with gently undulating walls.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Hypnotizing with its undulating waves of blue and green mosaic tiles, scenes of Paris are projected onto the walls.
—Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 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, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
These pink cat-eye French tips are framed by an undulating gold chrome outline.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Set at an elevation of over 1,706 feet, the farm's undulating hills were lined with what seemed like endless rows of verdant tea bushes.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
In due time the architect came up with an undulating single-story blob that people hated.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026
Anchored by Tainy’s masterful production, the song’s undulating reggaetón foundation intertwines with futuristic electronic textures, giving it a glimmering pulse.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2026
The undulating frame hangs above a stone console table, adding depth to the all-white hall.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Ten thousand cattails were used to create thin vertical rods, which were affixed to the perimeter of an octagonal skylight, creating a chapel with gently undulating walls.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Hypnotizing with its undulating waves of blue and green mosaic tiles, scenes of Paris are projected onto the walls.
—Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 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, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
These pink cat-eye French tips are framed by an undulating gold chrome outline.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Set at an elevation of over 1,706 feet, the farm's undulating hills were lined with what seemed like endless rows of verdant tea bushes.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 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
-
This achievement is particularly important because drones operate under demanding conditions such as vibration, motion, limited power supply, and fluctuating communication signals.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The instability affecting global supply chains, like policy changes, extreme weather, fluctuating commodity prices, and surging electrification demand, means that planning for only one future is planning for failure.—
Travis Edmonds,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
March is the ultimate transitional month, full of days oscillating between brisk winter temperatures and sunny springtime moments.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Like many recent theater school grads, Dela Cruz was still trying to find his niche as a performer, oscillating between the pursuits of ethnic ambiguity — a casting asset — and cultural identity.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
If the dress code calls for true beachy or vacation attire, the Jaylah Strapless Midi Dress from Lulus looks like a wavy, ocean-like print that will blend in perfectly on the shore.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The pageboy bob The subtle, soft layers of the pageboy bob introduce volume and movement and can be worn wavy or with a side part.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
October marks the start of butterfly season, with vibrant swarms fluttering well into the green season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The sudden movement sends the birds fluttering away from you, to watch and wait.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The nine engines will be delivered on a rolling basis and mated to the first stage on-site.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That amounts to a decline of 8,087 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per day from the previous 30-day rolling average.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From the flags waving outside churches to the food lining the shelves inside local markets, Armenian culture is visible throughout Watertown, Massachusetts.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
And yet there Friedmann was, waving at his antagonist.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The National Park Service sees planting as insurance against the uneven distribution and high mortality of the naturally sprouting trees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Davis’ successor, Steve Alford, failed to replicate the success of Davis’ goodbye season during his uneven eight-year run in Iowa City.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulating. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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