1
as in fluctuated
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 alternated
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 oscillated
The ’90s nail palette oscillated between pastels, vibrant neons, and metallic tones, recalling the flashy aesthetics of music videos and commercials of the time.
—
Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2025
Newcastle’s midfield trio oscillated horizontally to block the passing lanes into Tielemans and Rogers, as seen in this example in the 25th minute.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
For the past week, residents have oscillated between grief and fear after authorities said an Army veteran walked into The Owl Bar in Anaconda and opened fire.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
The cluster oscillated at one million deflections per second.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2025
In fact, the styles have oscillated between dramatic extensions, protruding buns and messy waves.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
Jolie has oscillated from the fantastical, starring in 2021’s Eternals and the two Maleficent films, to the dramatic, appearing in last year’s Maria Callas biopic Maria.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2025
Newcastle’s midfield trio oscillated horizontally to block the passing lanes into Tielemans and Rogers, as seen in this example in the 25th minute.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
For the past week, residents have oscillated between grief and fear after authorities said an Army veteran walked into The Owl Bar in Anaconda and opened fire.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
The cluster oscillated at one million deflections per second.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2025
In fact, the styles have oscillated between dramatic extensions, protruding buns and messy waves.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
Jolie has oscillated from the fantastical, starring in 2021’s Eternals and the two Maleficent films, to the dramatic, appearing in last year’s Maria Callas biopic Maria.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillated
Verb
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How has Charlie Sheen's fortune fluctuated?—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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Her weight has fluctuated, but she's never been obese.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cabaret saw its grosses jump close to $250,000 from the prior week, to reach close to $630,000, and capacity also jumped to 91 percent from 68 percent as the understudies David Merino and Marty Lauter alternated in the lead role of the Emcee, taking over from Billy Porter.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
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Jordan Morgan started at left guard and went the distance, while Anthony Belton and Darian Kennard alternated at right tackle.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the Blue Jays swung a trade to bring in Shane Bieber at this season's deadline, Edward Eng of FanSided's Jays Journal predicted the team would turn to him as a long-term replacement while letting Max Scherzer walk this winter.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Last year the park swung open the doors to equally ingenious fairytale rides themed to the Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan cartoons.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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