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
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
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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Sigle started all three preseason games, alternating as a tandem with incumbent Ji’Ayir Brown and newcomer Jason Pinnock.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
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Narrator Jacek Zubiel switches from Polish to English, alternating between Bethany and Nel’s colliding worlds.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
5 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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Practice rounds sometimes turn into showcases of raw talent, the kind that leave teammates shaking their heads at the sound off his club face.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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Police alleged that the brain bleed was consistent with shaking an infant.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The evening was packed with rocking performances, emotional tributes and an unexpected amount of love for therapists.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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The youngest of those sisters, Rosa, is played by the aforementioned Charli xcx, contributing a serviceable performance that doesn’t demand much of her apart from the need to look ravishingly exotic and rocking her famous mane of brunette waves.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oscillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillating. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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