UNDULATING Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

undulating 1 of 2

adjective

as in undulant

rising and falling in a wavelike pattern The undulating terrain was difficult to traverse on foot.

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Dissimilar Words

undulating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of undulate

as in fluctuating

formal to move or be shaped like waves undulating hills an undulating surface

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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 undulating

Verb

With undulating arms and plastic smiles, my sister and I dutifully filled her orders. — Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 He gets pummeled by waves and rip currents while negotiating the famously difficult shore dive but is soon swimming among brightly colored marine life and undulating kelp forests that filter sunlight from the surface. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 Moments later, Jay is trapped inside, surrounded by gooey protrusions of undulating flesh. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 Sleek and extravagant, Rosewood Abu Dhabi provides a dramatic welcome, with architecture that calls to mind an undulating desert. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Suburbs stretch their undulating freeways into the grid, sucking out nutrients (and cutting through neighborhoods). — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Real manta rays propel themselves by rhythmically flapping and undulating their enormous pectoral fins. — New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026 The pinkish squid glided two miles beneath the surface, its long, pale legs trailing from undulating fins, stunning scientists who know remarkably little about its diet, behavior or reproduction. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 An avant-garde pick, the Olivera floor lamp from Lulu and Georgia boasts an undulating wicker frame. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulating

Adjective

But in his own drawing, De Kooning let rip with liner brushes, swishing them about all over the paper, achieving undulant lines that contract and expand like living creatures.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of undulant

Verb

The researchers combined thermodynamic modeling with an economic analysis to examine how storing and releasing reactor heat could improve operational flexibility and help nuclear plants respond to fluctuating electricity prices.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
This insulates these segments of the market from the effects of fluctuating mortgage rates.

— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of fluctuating

Adjective

The tables were arranged in long, wavy lines that provided open views to the water.

— Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
The facade, inspired by the soft and wavy texture of Loro Piana fabrics, unfolds across three windows and is crafted from handmade terracotta ceramic tiles.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of wavy

Verb

An oscillating dub siren sounds against the chime of a triangle and crackling waves pitched to loud white noise.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
Understanding these effects could help identify the physical limits of controlling electrons with rapidly oscillating light fields.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of oscillating

Adjective

Tesla touted the car as a rolling fortress that could tow 14,000 pounds and withstand hits from sledgehammers and even firearms.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
Built in 1970, the uber-quiet four-acre property sits at the top of a hill overlooking seemingly endless rolling valleys.

— Allison Duncan, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of rolling

Verb

Related Articles The dress was designed with a flowing sensibility in mind, featuring the Victorian design element of a high collar contrasted by fluttering bohemian shift silhouette, long sleeves and plenty of ruffles on the bodice and skirt.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
To achieve that fluttering action, the material in these baits is very soft.

— Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fluttering

Verb

Watchstanders got a distress call just before noon from the good Samaritan, who told them that there was a vessel with smoke coming from it roughly five miles west of the beach, with a person waving their arms on board.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Milwaukee fans in the crowd of 40,514, many waving yellow towels and some wearing cheeseheads, brought a Badger State feel to Tropicana Field.

— Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of waving

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Style

“Undulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulating. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of undulating

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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