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

Experts largely consider Trump Media a meme stock, meaning its share price can fluctuate wildly, with movements often not a reflection of the company’s underlying financial performance like other stocks. —Derek Saul, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Traditional voter polls kept showing a statistical dead heat, while betting markets fluctuated regularly—rising and falling because of Harris’s strong debate performance, Trump’s latest offensive remarks and, yes, even late, dramatic polling from star Iowa pollster Ann Selzer. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

The likelihood of each candidate winning the election has fluctuated in Silver's model since Harris became the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee in July. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

The number of Americans voting from abroad can fluctuate for a variety of reasons: the increase in people working remotely, people retiring abroad, students studying overseas, Peace Corps workers, and military voters. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 2 Nov. 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