1
as in fluctuating
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 alternating
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 oscillating
That such harmony could exist between an object-maker like Calder and an object-denier like Duchamp, who dreamed of an art made only of ideas, suggests that the engines of art are always oscillating.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Hotter objects give off more heat; their waves are more energetic, oscillating with a shorter wavelength.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
However, memory stocks are typically highly cyclical, oscillating between boom and bust cycles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
And Rihanna at 37 is the blueprint for modern sexy, oscillating between sheer gowns and oversized coats, all while pregnant, never allowing herself to be boxed in.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 18 Aug. 2025
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Hotter objects give off more heat; their waves are more energetic, oscillating with a shorter wavelength.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
However, memory stocks are typically highly cyclical, oscillating between boom and bust cycles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
And Rihanna at 37 is the blueprint for modern sexy, oscillating between sheer gowns and oversized coats, all while pregnant, never allowing herself to be boxed in.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillating
Verb
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Leaders should forecast infrastructure gaps and fluctuating demand cycles, and implement flexible risk management.—
Munkhtuya Rentsenbat,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Covering them can help mimic the conditions of a cellar—insulating them against fluctuating temperatures and keeping them from drying out.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then sugar, followed by eggs, are added in, before the flour and milk are added in alternating additions.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
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Spend your rest day alternating between the hot tub, sauna, and its two pools.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The director noticed that the exhausted Sheen couldn't keep his eyes open even when cameras were rolling.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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According to the company’s VP of Product Management for Brokerage, Abhishek Fatehpuria, the plan is to create an initial pool of 10,000 Robinhood Social users in the first quarter of next year, before rolling it out to all customers.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a new video with Insightec, the Oscar-winning screenwriter, 76, opened up about struggling for years with essential tremor, which left him unable to do simple tasks without shaking, such as holding a cup or writing by hand.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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Steam the clams until the shells open, 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the size of the clams, shaking the pan once or twice.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal and Severance's Tramell Tillman — who are both nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama — both arrived rocking all-white looks that were pure magic.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
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At the same time Moss was rocking an earring and quoting Jeezy, Surtain was rounding into an All-American at Alabama.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillating. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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