Thesaurus results for VIBRATE

Q: How does the verb 'vibrate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vibrate are fluctuate , oscillate , sway , swing , undulate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. // the vibrating strings of a piano

Q: When might 'fluctuate' be a better fit than 'vibrate'?

The words fluctuate and vibrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: In what contexts can 'oscillate' take the place of 'vibrate'?

Although the words oscillate and vibrate have much in common, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. // an oscillating fan

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sway' instead of 'vibrate'?

The synonyms sway and vibrate are sometimes interchangeable, but sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. // trees swaying in the breeze

Q: When can 'swing' be used instead of 'vibrate'?

The meanings of swing and vibrate largely overlap; however, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: When is 'undulate' a more appropriate choice than 'vibrate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to vibrate , undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. // an undulating sea of grass

Q: When would 'waver' be a good substitute for 'vibrate'?

While the synonyms waver and vibrate are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. // the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

vibrate

verb

ˈvī-ˌbrāt

Definition of vibrate next

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the glasses and knickknacks on the shelves vibrated during the slight earthquake

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb vibrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vibrate are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, swing, undulate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When might fluctuate be a better fit than vibrate?

The words fluctuate and vibrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

In what contexts can oscillate take the place of vibrate?

Although the words oscillate and vibrate have much in common, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When is it sensible to use sway instead of vibrate?

The synonyms sway and vibrate are sometimes interchangeable, but sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can swing be used instead of vibrate?

The meanings of swing and vibrate largely overlap; however, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When is undulate a more appropriate choice than vibrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to vibrate, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When would waver be a good substitute for vibrate?

While the synonyms waver and vibrate are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vibrate The black holes would cause this dark matter to vibrate like a bell rather than dispersing. —

Jonathan O’Callaghan, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2024 Not literal strings, of course — but tiny loops or snippets of vibrating energy. —

Tom Siegfried, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024 Made in Japan, the cult-classic tool is a vibrating bar massager cloaked in 24-karat gold. —

Jenny Berg, Allure, 26 Nov. 2024 However, a Doppler imager onboard would be needed to measure the planet's vibrations because a layered planet would vibrate at different frequencies, according to Militzere. —

Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vibrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vibrate

Verb

The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot delves into a crime that shook the town of Channelview, Texas, in 1991.

Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Warner, however, was looking to shake things up and get Bogart out of being typecast as a gangster.

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2024