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
Researchers around the world spotted an unusual oscillating sine wave sketched across seismographs.
—
Darren Orf, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
Still, their ability to oscillate indefinitely without energy loss has drawn significant interest in quantum computing.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2025
During Bilbao’s Semana Grande, Jone oscillates between a sense of invincibility shared with her new girlfriend Olga and resistance to her father’s unique approach to managing his illness.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Lately, the Senate is oscillating its attention between reconciliation and a government funding bill that is expected to receive a vote on Thursday or Friday.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Darren Orf, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
Still, their ability to oscillate indefinitely without energy loss has drawn significant interest in quantum computing.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2025
During Bilbao’s Semana Grande, Jone oscillates between a sense of invincibility shared with her new girlfriend Olga and resistance to her father’s unique approach to managing his illness.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Lately, the Senate is oscillating its attention between reconciliation and a government funding bill that is expected to receive a vote on Thursday or Friday.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillate
Verb
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In the wake of the administration’s fluctuating messaging on tariffs, chip manufacturers are finding themselves in a tight spot ahead of key earnings reports.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
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Case numbers seesawed in the following years before reaching an all-time low in 2021, when Pakistan recorded only one infection Although cases have fluctuated in the past, experts say last year's increase was particularly alarming.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Unfortunately, the longer governments and the Fed alternated stepping on the economic gas and brake pedals, in this Keynesian way, the worse the tradeoff between inflation and unemployment apparently got.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
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The two riders alternated every hour, with the record taking almost 16 hours to break.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The dining room was all warm, wooden paneling that undulated across the ceiling, booths like half-moons and mostly quiet tables ogling each course … and the champagne cart that coasted throughout the room.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Axios,
18 Dec. 2024
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The design firm of Bells + Whistle created a dining room with textured walls that re-create the layered strata of ocean cliffs and an undulating white oak ceiling that mimics the look of rolling ocean waves.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The second player swings the ball across the top of the key to the second side.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2025
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The former mayor of Salzburg gave the project the go-head in 2024, but now a governmental skirmish has begun after the mayoral office swung from the political right to the left after an election.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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