1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a fluctuating stock market makes it hard for investors to know what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in changing
not staying constant
our speed was constantly fluctuating, so the figure of 50 miles per hour is just an average
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in varying
to pass from one form, state, or level to another
temperatures will fluctuate between the low and high 50s today
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fluctuating
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2025
Many rival fans have had a good laugh at Tottenham and their wildly fluctuating results this season.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
The same amount of water per unit time can arrive as a smooth, steady rain of many small drops or as a strongly fluctuating shower with fewer but much larger drops.
—Douglas Natelson, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024
Irwin said that the characters’ runaway emotions are mirrored by the wildly fluctuating time signatures.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2024
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 May 2026
These bottlenecks slow decision-making in a crisis, when every second counts to maintain supply continuity and manage fluctuating costs.
—Alex Saric, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Perimenopause, the transitional stage preceding menopause, is marked by biological changes and fluctuating levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 14 May 2026
Speaking to the press before departing the White House for a visit to China, the president defended the fluctuating cost of the ballroom project.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2026
Our fluctuating temperatures, our comfort, the securing of a place in which to shelter or the lack of one, the tendency to seek out warmth.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Because the park's infrastructure has not yet changed to match fluctuating visitation models, parking capacity and shuttle systems are still fixed—meaning that by late morning on high-demand days, mobility inside the valley may become increasingly constrained.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Other surveys have varied widely on who is emerging as Bass’ strongest challenger, with support for Raman and Pratt fluctuating significantly across polls.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 May 2026
Economies are cyclical, fluctuating between periods of expansion, peak, contraction and trough.
—Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026
Adjective
Don’t Leave Pumpkins to Extreme Elements Pumpkins prefer consistency, so fluctuating temperatures—such as freezing nights followed by warm, sunny days—can weaken them.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2025
Many rival fans have had a good laugh at Tottenham and their wildly fluctuating results this season.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
The same amount of water per unit time can arrive as a smooth, steady rain of many small drops or as a strongly fluctuating shower with fewer but much larger drops.
—Douglas Natelson, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024
Irwin said that the characters’ runaway emotions are mirrored by the wildly fluctuating time signatures.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2024
Verb
Additionally, fluctuating Section 232 tariff costs threaten to squeeze importing margins.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 May 2026
These bottlenecks slow decision-making in a crisis, when every second counts to maintain supply continuity and manage fluctuating costs.
—Alex Saric, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Perimenopause, the transitional stage preceding menopause, is marked by biological changes and fluctuating levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 14 May 2026
Speaking to the press before departing the White House for a visit to China, the president defended the fluctuating cost of the ballroom project.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2026
Our fluctuating temperatures, our comfort, the securing of a place in which to shelter or the lack of one, the tendency to seek out warmth.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Because the park's infrastructure has not yet changed to match fluctuating visitation models, parking capacity and shuttle systems are still fixed—meaning that by late morning on high-demand days, mobility inside the valley may become increasingly constrained.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Other surveys have varied widely on who is emerging as Bass’ strongest challenger, with support for Raman and Pratt fluctuating significantly across polls.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 May 2026
Economies are cyclical, fluctuating between periods of expansion, peak, contraction and trough.
—Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating
Adjective
-
Everything is imperfect and volatile.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
Gas and oil prices have been rising but volatile since the conflict began.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.—
Evan Moore
December 19,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
For the three legs of the Triple Crown, jockeys earn a wide range of sums to wear brand logos on their pants, typically varying from low to mid five-figures.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
-
Each week since the season began in August, four of us — an algorithm, a guest subscriber on rotation, Wilfred and I — have been predicting the Premier League results with varying degrees of success.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
That's difficult because oncology is among the most expensive and unpredictable areas of healthcare, with high drug costs and the fragmented care that attracted the company's attention in the first place.—
Ellen Sheng,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Produced by Kunal Kemmu and Chirag Nihalani through their Drongo Films banner, Vibe centers on two inseparable friends whose ordinary, unassuming lives spiral into an unpredictable, high-energy adventure that pushes their survival instincts and friendship to the limit.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
These Italian suede sneakers feature a durable gum sole that’s perfect for a long day of walking without tripping over cobblestones or uneven pavement.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
-
Elsewhere, shopping was uneven.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The debate comes after weeks of tense exchanges and shifting poll numbers.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Growing challenges to diverse slates Amid shifting political winds, the proliferation of diverse slate policies quickly generated backlash.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
Adjective
-
Why Sorting Laundry Was Traditionally Important Before advances in fabric manufacturing, many dyes were unstable.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
While highly energetic, these ions are unstable.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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