fluctuate

verb

fluc·​tu·​ate ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt 

-chü-ˌāt

fluctuated; fluctuating

intransitive verb

1

: to shift back and forth uncertainly

Oil prices fluctuated.

Temperatures fluctuated.

2

: to rise and fall in or as if in waves

The boat fluctuated on the rough sea.

transitive verb

: to cause to fluctuate

Synonyms

• change
• mutate
• shift
• snap
• vary

Choose the Right Synonym for fluctuate

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Examples of fluctuate in a Sentence

His popularity has fluctuated during his term in office.

In the desert, the temperature fluctuates dramatically.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tropical trouble The final tally of flash flood emergencies fluctuates greatly year-to-year and is highly dependent on changing weather patterns and tropical systems that impact the US. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

According to Tipp, both candidates have fluctuated in a range of three points over the last 10 days. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

This is where a flat organizational structure comes into play, offering a more agile and responsive alternative, especially during difficult times of rapid change and fluctuating markets. —Stoyan Mitov, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

The number of satellite subscribers has been fluctuating at the company, with SiriusXM losing 100,000 subscribers in the past quarter and about 450,000 in the first half of the year to reach 31.5 million. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin fluctuatus, past participle of fluctuare, from fluctus flow, wave, from fluere — more at fluid

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Kids Definition

fluctuate

verb

fluc·​tu·​ate ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt 

fluctuated; fluctuating

1

: to move up and down or back and forth like a wave

2

: to be constantly changing especially up and down

fluctuation

ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən 

noun