1
as in fluctuation
the frequent and usually sudden passing from one condition to another
fickle springtime weather in which there seemed to be an unceasing oscillation between unseasonable heat and unseasonable cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in vibration
a series of slight movements by a body back and forth or from side to side
the precise oscillations of the quartz crystal that allows a quartz watch to keep such accurate time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oscillation
For her part, Conrad is leading an experiment called Isodar, which will look specifically for fast neutrino oscillation caused by any number of light sterile neutrinos.
—
Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
European markets’ Tuesday oscillations followed a four-day Easter break, after finishing Thursday’s session in mixed territory.
—Hugh Leask,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
The oscillations are influenced by the structure of the Sun's interior, which is defined by flows of plasma within the convective layer.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The best expression of that extreme oscillation is in Drive, his first collaboration with Refn that birthed cool-guy Gosling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
European markets’ Tuesday oscillations followed a four-day Easter break, after finishing Thursday’s session in mixed territory.
—Hugh Leask,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
The oscillations are influenced by the structure of the Sun's interior, which is defined by flows of plasma within the convective layer.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The best expression of that extreme oscillation is in Drive, his first collaboration with Refn that birthed cool-guy Gosling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillation
Noun
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Natalie Harris, who has owned Houston's Renegade Bridal & Dye Lab for two decades, explained to The Wall Street Journal that weight fluctuations have become nearly impossible to predict since the rise of GLP-1s — which wasn't always the case.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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The more fluctuations in temperature, the more the quality will degrade.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Steam Controller has a rumble motor that can alternate between strong and subtle vibrations with equal utility, and magnetic TMR thumbsticks that should be less susceptible to the kind of drift inherent to sticks with physical contacts.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
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And as a result, there is no atmospheric pressure, which means that without a medium like air or molecules to carry vibrations, sound cannot travel.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mamula noted that the findings provide a scientific basis for potential policy changes, permitting reforms, and workforce training.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Albanese noted that despite concluding that risks to Australian Jews were rising, the report found that no urgent changes were required to keep Australians safe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During this phase, octopuses display visible twitching along with rapid changes in skin color and texture, per NPR.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Gosnell did not testify at his 2013 trial, but his defense attorney argued that none of the fetuses were born alive and that any movements were posthumous twitching or spasms, according to the AP.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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The team also found that certain near-surface features, such as softer rock layers above where the stopping phase happens, can further enhance it, leading to more severe shaking of the ground at the surface.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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All the trembling, as Kimbangu touched the sick, alarmed European settlers and reassured the plantation workers who trekked to Nkamba in search of healing.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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At first this change of scale vivifies the butterfly—its brief stillness, the angle of its wings, its trembling—while freezing everything else, including the novel’s action.—
Ben Lerner,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillation. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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