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
One of these experiment models, ABRACADABRA, employs high-sensitivity radio to capture the faint hum of axion’s oscillating magnetic fields thanks to the close cooperation of UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
—
Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, men were overwhelmed, and many opened up to the possibility of feminism, doubled down, then opened up again, oscillating wildly between solidarity and oppression.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The best way to grab the oscillating tool and a high-output battery at a steep discount.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
Vibration types Most vibration platform machines use either tri-planar or oscillating vibration.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Tyran Stokes, hailed as the top prospect in the high school class of 2026, has bounced up and down the West Coast, attending three different high schools in four years, while fans on Reddit scrutinize his performance and national media agonize over his oscillating college decision.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Service, on my visits, was a bit spacey, but it’s been tightening up; the tone of the place seems to be in progress, too, oscillating between that of a neighborhood joint, an amorous date-night nook, and a sceney hot spot.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Pedretti, meanwhile, commits fully to her bimbo persona, oscillating between titillating absurdism and unexpected discomfort.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Cyrus herself has worn both hair colors many, many times in the past, oscillating from a bleach-blonde platinum crop in her Bangerz days to a Debbie Harry-esque halo to warm brunette.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, men were overwhelmed, and many opened up to the possibility of feminism, doubled down, then opened up again, oscillating wildly between solidarity and oppression.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The best way to grab the oscillating tool and a high-output battery at a steep discount.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
Vibration types Most vibration platform machines use either tri-planar or oscillating vibration.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Tyran Stokes, hailed as the top prospect in the high school class of 2026, has bounced up and down the West Coast, attending three different high schools in four years, while fans on Reddit scrutinize his performance and national media agonize over his oscillating college decision.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Service, on my visits, was a bit spacey, but it’s been tightening up; the tone of the place seems to be in progress, too, oscillating between that of a neighborhood joint, an amorous date-night nook, and a sceney hot spot.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Pedretti, meanwhile, commits fully to her bimbo persona, oscillating between titillating absurdism and unexpected discomfort.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Cyrus herself has worn both hair colors many, many times in the past, oscillating from a bleach-blonde platinum crop in her Bangerz days to a Debbie Harry-esque halo to warm brunette.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillating
Verb
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Picking the right airline can be difficult, especially when there are so many choices to consider, and prices are constantly fluctuating.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
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Conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and severe anxiety disorders frequently involve fluctuating symptoms.—
Jeffrey Freedman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Work on a Connecticut bridge will bring a pattern of one-lane alternating traffic on a local road for months until September, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
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The alternating stones were meant to represent the colors of the Monaco flag, according to Vogue.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday night, after shaking off a deal that was short-circuited by another team, the Ravens would make a pick (Penn State guard Vega Ioane) that symbolically spoke to the franchise’s core values.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Backstage, everyone was crying and shaking, Pearlman says.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As such, the Jets are rolling with this group of linebackers — and sticking with Sherwood, coming off a poor season after a 2024 breakout campaign that got him a huge contract.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Minnesota finished fourth in the standings each time before rolling to win the championship.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cinemas nationwide will soon be rocking to the story of one of music’s greatest talents.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
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Tales From ’85 indicates very little interest in rocking the Stranger Things boat, narratively or tonally or any other-ly.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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