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 indexes oscillated between gains and losses throughout the session following the developments.
—
Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
On the stages, the music oscillated between vintage and cutting edge.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead of slowly fading as expected, the luminosity oscillated downward while the time between each fluctuation shortened.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
For decades, American presidents from both parties have oscillated between coercion and engagement with Iran, sometimes offering diplomacy, sometimes sanctions.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Italy has traditionally oscillated between European leadership and peripheral frustration.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Headlines oscillated between confidence and confusion.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
In other words, their systems oscillated between states of threat and shutdown, not a balanced state of safe emotional regulation.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Having oscillated between flowing lengths and a lob, Millie Bobby Brown is now officially Millie Bobby Bob again.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
On the stages, the music oscillated between vintage and cutting edge.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead of slowly fading as expected, the luminosity oscillated downward while the time between each fluctuation shortened.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
For decades, American presidents from both parties have oscillated between coercion and engagement with Iran, sometimes offering diplomacy, sometimes sanctions.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Italy has traditionally oscillated between European leadership and peripheral frustration.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Headlines oscillated between confidence and confusion.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
In other words, their systems oscillated between states of threat and shutdown, not a balanced state of safe emotional regulation.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Having oscillated between flowing lengths and a lob, Millie Bobby Brown is now officially Millie Bobby Bob again.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillated
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
Verb
-
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,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For about five minutes, the two kept passing each other as the man alternated between running and walking, similar to interval training, but Barker still instinctively took out her mace.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Construction, likely lifted by favorable weather, swung to a net gain of 26,000 jobs versus a 13,000-job loss in February.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Smith swung and missed at two cutters from Red Sox starter Brayan Bello to begin the plate appearance.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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