fluctuate
verb
fluc·tu·ate
ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt 
-chü-ˌāt
fluctuated; fluctuating
1
: to shift back and forth uncertainly
Oil prices fluctuated.
Temperatures fluctuated.
2
: to rise and fall in or as if in waves
The boat fluctuated on the rough sea.
: to cause to fluctuate
Examples of fluctuate in a Sentence
His popularity has fluctuated during his term in office.
In the desert, the temperature fluctuates dramatically.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, the total number of states at this price point for gas has fluctuated over the summer.
—
Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
This area is crucial for handling complex, urban delivery environments and fluctuating demand, yet many companies still use static zoning, leading to imbalances in workload and higher costs.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
In a cyclical sector like housing finance, where loan volumes fluctuate with interest rates, robust servicing provides LoanDepot with greater earnings stability that investors might now be beginning to recognize.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
As fall weather often fluctuates between warmer, milder days and cooler ones, having the right wardrobe to accommodate the change in seasons is a must.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuate
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Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
This area is crucial for handling complex, urban delivery environments and fluctuating demand, yet many companies still use static zoning, leading to imbalances in workload and higher costs.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
In a cyclical sector like housing finance, where loan volumes fluctuate with interest rates, robust servicing provides LoanDepot with greater earnings stability that investors might now be beginning to recognize.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
As fall weather often fluctuates between warmer, milder days and cooler ones, having the right wardrobe to accommodate the change in seasons is a must.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuate
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluctuate. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fluctuate
verb
fluc·tu·ate
ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt
fluctuated; fluctuating
1
: to move up and down or back and forth like a wave
2
: to be constantly changing especially up and down
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