pendulum
noun
pen·du·lum
ˈpen-jə-ləm 
ˈpen-dyə-,
-də-
1
: a body suspended from a fixed point so as to swing freely to and fro under the action of gravity and commonly used to regulate movements (as of clockwork)
2
: something (such as a state of affairs) that alternates between opposites
doesn't take much to swing the pendulum of opinion the other way
Examples of pendulum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pendulum soon swung back in the opposite direction, gradually at first and eventually drastically.
—
W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Asked to evaluate the deal moments after the Clippers defeated the Thunder in January 2024, George grudgingly acknowledged that the pendulum had swung toward Oklahoma City.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Despite these concerns, the pendulum has swung toward more PSA testing in recent years.
—Daniel J. Stone, Twin Cities, 4 June 2025
Now, the pendulum has swung in the other direction.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
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.
W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Asked to evaluate the deal moments after the Clippers defeated the Thunder in January 2024, George grudgingly acknowledged that the pendulum had swung toward Oklahoma City.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Despite these concerns, the pendulum has swung toward more PSA testing in recent years.
—Daniel J. Stone, Twin Cities, 4 June 2025
Now, the pendulum has swung in the other direction.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
Cite this Entry
“Pendulum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendulum. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pendulum
noun
pen·du·lum
ˈpen-jə-ləm
: a body hung from a fixed point so as to swing freely back and forth under the action of gravity
Etymology
from scientific Latin pendulum "something suspended so as to swing freely," from Latin pendulus "suspended," from pendēre "to hang" — related to depend, perpendicular
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share