oscillate

verb

Definition of oscillatenext
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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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 Most people can oscillate between the main three—secure, avoidant, and anxious—but often tend to demonstrate one more than the others. —Cassie Hurwitz, SELF, 24 Mar. 2026 Time crystals are an unusual form of matter composed of particles that oscillate, much like a pendulum. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026 On the stages, the music oscillated between vintage and cutting edge. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026 Newtonian physics — that is, the basic physics of gravity according to Isaac Newton's law of gravitation — contains a full set of oscillating modes for a regular object. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillate
  1. fluctuate
  2. alternate
  3. undulate
  4. swing
Verb
  • Schreacke’s role remained consistent with perimeter shooting and floor spacing, but her effectiveness fluctuated.
    — Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Those tariff policies fluctuated wildly over the following months as Trump made deals and walked back some of the most extreme duties.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of fluctuate
Verb
  • The names alternate between male and female.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The majority of the seats are in place, alternated in pink, black, gray and white with some positioned to depict a heron, the team’s mascot.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of alternate
Verb
  • The product is made with silk jacquard, and with smooth cotton sateen on the reverse side; the jacquard is woven in a pattern reminiscent of the ocean’s undulating waves.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Expect boulders wedged between undulating 200-foot-high red sandstone walls, loose sand, and tricky obstacles to maneuver.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of undulate
Verb
  • The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping.
    — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • This fuel burn sets Orion on a path around the moon called a free return trajectory, which essentially means the spacecraft will enter the moon’s gravitational influence (but won’t orbit our natural satellite) and will swing around its far side.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of swing

Browse Nearby Words

orthopedists
oscillate
oscillated
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Cite this Entry

“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on oscillate

Nglish: Translation of oscillate for Spanish Speakers

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