1
as in fluctuated
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 alternated
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 oscillated
In three games for Connor Ingram and one for Tristan Jarry, the goaltenders have oscillated between vaguely competent and actively bad.
—
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Over the past couple of weeks, oil prices have oscillated between the $90-$100 a barrel range, having gone even higher during the conflict.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The indexes oscillated between gains and losses throughout the session following the developments.
—Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
On the stages, the music oscillated between vintage and cutting edge.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead of slowly fading as expected, the luminosity oscillated downward while the time between each fluctuation shortened.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
For decades, American presidents from both parties have oscillated between coercion and engagement with Iran, sometimes offering diplomacy, sometimes sanctions.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Italy has traditionally oscillated between European leadership and peripheral frustration.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Headlines oscillated between confidence and confusion.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Over the past couple of weeks, oil prices have oscillated between the $90-$100 a barrel range, having gone even higher during the conflict.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The indexes oscillated between gains and losses throughout the session following the developments.
—Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
On the stages, the music oscillated between vintage and cutting edge.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead of slowly fading as expected, the luminosity oscillated downward while the time between each fluctuation shortened.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
For decades, American presidents from both parties have oscillated between coercion and engagement with Iran, sometimes offering diplomacy, sometimes sanctions.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Italy has traditionally oscillated between European leadership and peripheral frustration.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Headlines oscillated between confidence and confusion.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillated
Verb
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While most of Maryland has been facing some level of drought since last year, conditions have fluctuated, improving in June 2025 and worsening in recent days.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The poll was conducted from April 16 through Monday, as oil prices fluctuated and Americans spent more at the gas pump.—
Linley Sanders,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police say two of the officers alternated on performing the abdominal thrusts while two other officers kept the woman upright.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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The pope, who alternated between English, Spanish and Italian when answering questions, also criticized the Iranian regime’s killing of protesters in his first remarks on the topic.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chevron's refiners swung to a loss of $817 million compared with a profit of $325 million in last year's quarter, due to the lower margins, the timing effects on financial hedges and higher transportation costs.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
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Raschi threw, Miñoso swung and the ball took off to straightaway center, disappearing over the old bullpen fence, 415 feet away.—
Marianne Mather,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillated. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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