1
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.
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2
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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oscillate
Having oscillated between flowing lengths and a lob, Millie Bobby Brown is now officially Millie Bobby Bob again.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
This allows lithium ions to oscillate and redistribute more evenly, thereby improving their entry into the anode material.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
An inconsistent scorer who oscillated between starting and the bench for the better part of four years.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
But Minnesota’s performances over the season’s first two and a half months consistently oscillated between awesome and awful.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
This allows lithium ions to oscillate and redistribute more evenly, thereby improving their entry into the anode material.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
An inconsistent scorer who oscillated between starting and the bench for the better part of four years.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
But Minnesota’s performances over the season’s first two and a half months consistently oscillated between awesome and awful.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillate
Verb
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Its budget has fluctuated since its initial startup of $10 million.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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For best results, avoid storing in the refrigerator door, where temperatures fluctuate.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Negative space really makes black polish pop, especially when alternating between solid lacquer and abstract prints.—
Samantha Brash,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
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The upper sat on an oversize block platform wrapped in alternating black-and-white horizontal stripes, while a thin, high heel dropped straight from the back of the shoe to the floor.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ten thousand cattails were used to create thin vertical rods, which were affixed to the perimeter of an octagonal skylight, creating a chapel with gently undulating walls.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Hypnotizing with its undulating waves of blue and green mosaic tiles, scenes of Paris are projected onto the walls.—
Kasia Dietz,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Over the past decade, screening guidelines have swung from recommending routine screening to advising against it to landing somewhere in between, and major organizations still don’t all say it the same way.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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