Thesaurus results for OSCILLATE

Q: How does the verb 'oscillate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of oscillate are fluctuate , sway , swing , undulate , vibrate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. // an oscillating fan

Q: Where would 'fluctuate' be a reasonable alternative to 'oscillate'?

While the synonyms fluctuate and oscillate are close in meaning, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sway' instead of 'oscillate'?

The words sway and oscillate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. // trees swaying in the breeze

Q: When is 'swing' a more appropriate choice than 'oscillate'?

The synonyms swing and oscillate are sometimes interchangeable, but swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: In what contexts can 'undulate' take the place of 'oscillate'?

The meanings of undulate and oscillate largely overlap; however, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. // an undulating sea of grass

Q: When would 'vibrate' be a good substitute for 'oscillate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to oscillate , vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. // the vibrating strings of a piano

Q: When could 'waver' be used to replace 'oscillate'?

Although the words waver and oscillate have much in common, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. // the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

oscillate

verb

Definition of oscillate next

as in to fluctuate

to move back and forth in a rhythmic manner When a guitar string is plucked, it oscillates to produce sound waves in the air.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to alternate

to continuously change from one belief, feeling, or condition to an opposite one The model's hair color oscillates between bleach blond and jet black.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb oscillate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of oscillate are fluctuate, sway, swing, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

Where would fluctuate be a reasonable alternative to oscillate?

While the synonyms fluctuate and oscillate are close in meaning, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use sway instead of oscillate?

The words sway and oscillate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When is swing a more appropriate choice than oscillate?

The synonyms swing and oscillate are sometimes interchangeable, but swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

In what contexts can undulate take the place of oscillate?

The meanings of undulate and oscillate largely overlap; however, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When would vibrate be a good substitute for oscillate?

While in some cases nearly identical to oscillate, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When could waver be used to replace oscillate?

Although the words waver and oscillate have much in common, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

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 oscillate The caseback reveals a 50th anniversary design on the oscillating weight, as this watch led the charge of the famous model’s 50th anniversary year. —

Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025 By turns, the two women appear loving, then competitive — combative even — oscillating between precise unity and independence, staring at each other often but not touching until halfway through. —

Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025 Palmer has been oscillating between spurts of lively color and sultry, leather-heavy black. —

Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2025 Without that, the pendulum, once excited, would oscillate for too long. —

IEEE Spectrum, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for oscillate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillate

Verb

The rate has fluctuated over the past decade, peaking at 35 incursions per 1 million takeoffs and landings in 2017 and 2018 and a low of 28 in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Keep in mind these prices can fluctuate based on demand, and most don’t include additional fees, which typically add around $15-30 to the base ticket price.

— Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 30 Jan. 2025