Synonym Chooser

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 environment of the studios and the business was still vibrating from the hack. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024 Rippling Decoys These decoys vibrate in the water and make a ring of ripples in the spread. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024 Materials in the ground will vibrate at different frequencies, as will the soil itself, and these differences are picked up by the laser when it is reflected back to its emitter. Ritsuko Kawai, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024 Not literal strings, of course—but tiny loops or snippets of vibrating energy. Tom Siegfried, JSTOR Daily, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vibrate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vibrate
Verb
  • So what is the Warriors' appetite to shake things up this season?
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But the potential for shaking things up would be there every day.
    Mike Sando, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Previously the two were able to disable brakes, honk the horn, jerk the seat belt, and control the steering wheel using a laptop in the back of both a Toyota Prius and Ford Escape.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
  • Dad nodded his approval again and the kid did as instructed, reflexively jerking his hand away as the starter began to churn the 117-cubic inch motor.
    William Roberson, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Until some team wins 500 games in a row and forces the league to shudder for lack of competitive interest or something like that, this will continue to be the case.
    Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
  • With all the progress in computing, the old dream of achieving optimal morality shuddered awake.
    Sigal Samuel, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But to get back to our main story, the episode closes with Rowan gently dumping the corpse of the girl Lasher killed in a large body of water amidst much fog and trembling hands.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2025
  • When Burke tries to speak about the emotional effect of the initiative, his voice trembles.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The song starts out claustrophobic, with Niko Kapetan’s voice hushed and quivering over an acoustic guitar.
    Alex Suskind, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
  • The water off the coast of Point Vicente quivered in the distance with little leaping bits of life.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near vibrate

Cite this Entry

“Vibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vibrate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vibrate

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