oscillate
verb
os·cil·late
ˈä-sə-ˌlāt 
oscillated; oscillating
1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
The fan was oscillating.
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
he oscillates regularly between his comfortable home … and his downtown office-laboratory—
Gladwin Hill
Gladwin Hill2
: to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories
The mood of the voters has oscillated between optimism and pessimism.
3
: to vary above and below a mean value
Bank rate oscillates between 2 and 6 percent.
Examples of oscillate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This one falls in the medium-firm category for support with just enough give to keep me comfortable, and as a person who oscillates between being too hot and too cold, the temperature regulation from season to season helps a lot.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 June 2025
Diddy also appeared to be oscillating ever so slightly in his chair; his back and head were moving with the almost imperceptible back-and-forth that comes with leg-tapping.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 9 June 2025
Trump can oscillate between impatience with Putin, even threatening Russia with sanctions coordinated with Europe, and backtracking after Putin makes just a marginal counteroffer in bad faith.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
The 10-year Treasury yield, a critical barometer of economic health, has oscillated between approximately 4.0% and 4.47% this year, injecting unprecedented volatility into a market typically known for its stability.
—Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
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Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 June 2025
Diddy also appeared to be oscillating ever so slightly in his chair; his back and head were moving with the almost imperceptible back-and-forth that comes with leg-tapping.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 9 June 2025
Trump can oscillate between impatience with Putin, even threatening Russia with sanctions coordinated with Europe, and backtracking after Putin makes just a marginal counteroffer in bad faith.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
The 10-year Treasury yield, a critical barometer of economic health, has oscillated between approximately 4.0% and 4.47% this year, injecting unprecedented volatility into a market typically known for its stability.
—Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Cite this Entry
“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscillate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oscillate
verb
os·cil·late
ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt
oscillated; oscillating
1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
2
: to have trouble deciding between opposing beliefs, feelings, or ideas
Medical Definition
oscillate
intransitive verb
os·cil·late
ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt
oscillated; oscillating
1
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
2
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
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