Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

fluctuating

ADJECTIVE
ambivalent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contradictory doubtful equivocal hesitant mixed uncertain undecided unsure
WEAK
clashing debatable inconclusive irresolute opposed unresolved vacillating warring wavering
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain clear decided definite determined secure settled sure undoubted unquestionable
WEAK
resolved unequivocal
ADJECTIVE
changeable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capricious fickle mercurial protean shifting unpredictable unsettled unstable varying volatile
STRONG
changeful mutable
WEAK
agitated commutative convertible fitful flighty fluid impulsive inconstant indecisive irregular irresolute irresponsible kaleidoscopic mobile movable permutable restless reversible revocable skittish spasmodic transformable transitional uncertain unreliable unsteady vacillating vagrant variable variant versatile wavering whimsical
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm constant stable steadfast steady unvarying
WEAK
certain changeless fixed lasting reliable sure unchangeable undeviating
ADJECTIVE
faithless
Synonyms
WEAK
capricious changeable changeful cheating deceitful dishonest double-crossing double-dealing doubting dubious false fickle inconstant perfidious recreant skeptical traitorous treacherous two-faced two-timing unbelieving unconverted unfaithful unloyal unreliable unstable untrue untrustworthy untruthful wavering
Antonyms
WEAK
believing constant faithful loyal reliable true
ADJECTIVE
fitful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desultory intermittent periodic spotty
WEAK
bits and pieces broken capricious catchy changeable disturbed erratic flickering haphazard herky-jerky hit-or-miss impulsive inconstant interrupted on-again-off-again random recurrent restive restless shifting spasmodic spastic unstable variable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
constant continual regular
WEAK
continuous even undisturbed unvarying
ADJECTIVE
fluid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flexible shifting unsettled unstable
STRONG
floating mobile variable
WEAK
adjustable changeful indefinite malleable mercurial mutable protean unsteady
Antonyms
WEAK
inflexible solid stable unchangeable
ADJECTIVE
inconstant
Synonyms
WEAK
capricious changeful erratic fickle flickering impulsive inconsistent intermittent irregular irresolute mercurial shifting uncertain undependable unreliable unsettled unstable vacillating variable varying volatile waffling wavering
ADJECTIVE
irregular
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capricious erratic intermittent jerky sporadic uneven unreliable
STRONG
aberrant eccentric faltering shifting weaving
WEAK
aimless casual changeable designless desultory disconnected discontinuous fitful fragmentary haphazard hit-or-miss inconstant indiscriminate infrequent nonuniform occasional out of order patchy purposeless recurrent shaky spasmodic uncertain unconsidered unmethodical unpunctual unsettled unsteady unsystematic up and down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
constant continuous dependable regular reliable smooth steady
STRONG
normal
WEAK
common conventional even flat level methodical standard systematic usual
ADJECTIVE
irresolute
Synonyms
WEAK
changing doubtful doubting faltering fearful fickle halfhearted halting hesitant hesitating hot-and-cold on-the-fence tentative timid uncertain undecided undetermined unsettled unstable unsteady vacillating waffling wavering weak wimpy wishy-washy wobbly
Antonyms
WEAK
definite determined obstinate resolute stubborn unyielding willful
ADJECTIVE
mercurial
Synonyms
STRONGEST
changeable effervescent erratic impulsive resilient unpredictable volatile
WEAK
blowing hot and cold bubbleheaded buoyant capricious elastic expansive fickle flaky flip gaga gay inconstant irregular irrepressible lighthearted lively lubricious mad mobile movable quicksilver spirited sprightly ticklish unstable up-and-down variable yo-yo
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain constant predictable reliable stable steady sure unchanging
WEAK
calm tranquil unchangeable unperturbable unvarying
ADJECTIVE
mutable
Synonyms
WEAK
alterable erratic fickle inconstant mercurial unreliable vacillating variable wavering
Antonyms
WEAK
constant invariable
ADJECTIVE
periodic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annual intermittent monthly occasional recurrent recurring regular repeated routine seasonal sporadic weekly yearly
STRONG
periodical
WEAK
alternate at various times centennial cyclic cyclical daily epochal every once in a while every so often hourly infrequent isochronal isochronous on certain occasions on-again-off-again orbital perennial rhythmic serial spasmodic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
constant infrequent unusual
WEAK
continual irregular lasting permanent sporadic variable
ADJECTIVE
ranging
Synonyms
STRONG
differing extending shifting
ADJECTIVE
spotty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
erratic patchy sporadic uneven
WEAK
desultory flickering not uniform on-again-off-again pimply spasmodic unequal
Antonyms
STRONGEST
consistent continuous dependable regular
WEAK
constant unbroken
ADJECTIVE
supererogative
Synonyms
WEAK
capricious changeable devil-may-care extravagant fanciful fickle fitful free frivolous gratuitous heedless hot-and-cold immoderate inconstant intemperate lavish outrageous prodigal profuse rash reckless spendthrift spoiled supererogatory thriftless uncalled-for unfettered unreserved unrestrained up and down variable volatile wasteful whimsical wild
ADJECTIVE
supererogatory
Synonyms
WEAK
capricious changeable devil-may-care extravagant fanciful fickle fitful free frivolous gratuitous heedless hot-and-cold immoderate inconstant intemperate lavish outrageous prodigal profuse rash reckless spendthrift spoiled supererogative thriftless uncalled-for unfettered unreserved unrestrained up and down variable volatile wasteful whimsical wild
ADJECTIVE
swinging
Synonyms
STRONG
swaying waving
ADJECTIVE
tottering
Synonyms
STRONG
dizzy moving suspect teetering unsettled vacillating wavering weaving
WEAK
ambiguous borderline capricious changeable dubious erratic fickle fitful giddy inconsistent inconstant insecure irrational lubricious mercurial mobile movable mutable not fixed precarious rickety risky rocky sensitive shaky shifty slippery temperamental ticklish tottery tricky uncertain unpredictable unsteady untrustworthy variable volatile weak wiggly wobbly
ADJECTIVE
tottery
Synonyms
WEAK
ambiguous borderline capricious changeable dizzy dubious erratic fickle fitful giddy inconsistent inconstant insecure irrational lubricious mercurial mobile movable moving mutable not fixed precarious rickety risky rocky sensitive shaky shifty slippery suspect teetering temperamental ticklish tottering tricky uncertain unpredictable unsettled unsteady untrustworthy vacillating variable volatile wavering weak weaving wiggly wobbly
ADJECTIVE
uneven
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bumpy irregular odd patchy rough spotty unbalanced unequal unsteady
WEAK
asperous asymmetrical broken changeable craggy differing discrepant disparate disproportionate fitful harsh ill-matched intermittent jagged jerky leftover lopsided nonsymmetrical not flat not level not parallel notched off-balance one-sided overbalanced remaining rugged scabrous scraggy serrate spasmodic unfair unlevel unsmooth unsymmetrical variable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
balanced even level matched regular similar smooth stable
WEAK
continuous
ADJECTIVE
unpredictable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
erratic fickle uncertain unreliable unstable
WEAK
capricious chance chancy dicey doubtful fluky from left field hanging by a thread iffy incalculable inconstant random touch and go touchy unforeseeable up for grabs variable whimsical
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain definite reliable stable steady sure unchanging
WEAK
constant predictable unvarying
ADJECTIVE
unstable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous changeable erratic fickle insecure irrational precarious risky rocky sensitive shaky slippery ticklish tricky uncertain unpredictable unsettled unsteady volatile weak wobbly
WEAK
borderline capricious dizzy dubious fitful giddy inconsistent inconstant lubricious mercurial mobile movable moving mutable not fixed rickety shifty suspect teetering temperamental untrustworthy vacillating variable wavering weaving wiggly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain clear confident constant definite dependable easy firm guarded happy predictable protected reliable safe secure sound stable steady strong sure unchanging unshaky
ADJECTIVE
unstable/unsteady
Synonyms
WEAK
ambiguous borderline capricious changeable dizzy dubious erratic fickle fitful giddy inconsistent inconstant insecure irrational lubricious mercurial mobile movable moving mutable not fixed precarious rickety risky rocky sensitive shaky shifty slippery suspect teetering temperamental ticklish tricky uncertain unpredictable unsettled untrustworthy vacillating variable volatile wavering weaving wiggly wobbly
Antonyms
WEAK
stable steady strong
ADJECTIVE
unsteady
Synonyms
STRONGEST
erratic groggy precarious rickety rocky unstable wobbly
WEAK
capricious changeable dizzy fickle giddy inconstant quivery shifting teetering tippy unreliable unsettled unsound vacillating variable wabbly wavering wayward wiggly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain definite dependable stable steady strong sure
ADJECTIVE
vacillating
Synonyms
STRONG
hesitating oscillating shifting swaying vibrating wavering
WEAK
changeable hesitant inconstant irresolute tentative uncertain undecided unsure volatile
Antonyms
WEAK
constant resolute steady unchanging
ADJECTIVE
variable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fickle volatile
STRONG
fluid irregular mobile shifting wavering yo-yo
WEAK
capricious changeful fitful flexible iffy inconstant mercurial mutable protean shifty slippery spasmodic temperamental ticklish uncertain unequable unsettled unstable unsteady vacillating waffling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
stable
WEAK
invariable unchangeable unchanging unvarying
ADJECTIVE
varying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
changeable changing differing shifting
STRONG
alternating deviating vacillating waffling wavering
WEAK
flexible inconstant irregular uncertain unstable unsteady volatile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fixed stable
ADJECTIVE
wanton
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capricious extravagant outrageous reckless wasteful
STRONG
free lavish prodigal rash spendthrift spoiled variable volatile wild
WEAK
changeable devil-may-care fanciful fickle fitful frivolous heedless hot-and-cold immoderate inconstant intemperate profuse thriftless unfettered unreserved unrestrained up and down whimsical
Antonyms
STRONGEST
economical reasonable sensible thrifty
STRONG
calm careful
WEAK
clean decent gentle kind moral nice observant righteous thoughtful wise
ADJECTIVE
wavering
Synonyms
STRONG
changing oscillating vacillating variable waffling
Antonyms
STRONG
unchanging
ADJECTIVE
wavering
Synonyms
STRONGEST
undecided
STRONG
hesitating vacillating variable waffling
WEAK
fickle unstable unsteady unsure
Antonyms
STRONG
unchanging
ADJECTIVE
wavy
Synonyms
WEAK
rolling vibrating wavering
Antonyms
WEAK
straight
ADJECTIVE
zigzag
Synonyms
STRONG
bent crinkled crooked irregular jagged meandering oscillating serrated snaking twisted twisting undulating waggling winding
WEAK
devious erratic indirect rambling sinuous tortuous transverse
Antonyms
STRONG
direct even level smooth straight straightforward
ADVERB
off and on
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at intervals at times every once in a while every so often from time to time irregularly now and then occasionally on occasion once in a while sometimes sporadically vacillating variably
ADVERB
off-and-on
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at irregular intervals hardly infrequently intermittent irregularly not often on and off scarcely sometimes sporadically vacillating variable very seldom when the mood strikes
ADVERB
on and off
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at irregular intervals inconstantly infrequently intermittently irregularly not often now and then off and on sometimes sporadically uncertainly variable very seldom when the mood strikes

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office said last year that it is hard to predict the exact amount the state will collect because of factors such as fluctuating stock prices, which affect wealth.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Air Canada is currently up 4.2%, offering a reprieve after weeks of volatility tied to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating energy markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

As a flat, rigid representation of a fluctuating and notional three-dimensional space, it wasn’t perfect.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

"There is currently not a single gynaecological condition listed as a recurring or fluctuating impairment in the guidance on the disability definition," Sanju explains.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

They are easy to maintain, need no paint since they are usually of aluminum, and are not tied to fluctuating land values.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Vocabulary lists containing fluctuating

The Great Gatsby

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

1970 Nobel Peace Prize Speech: “One Word of Truth Outweighs the World” by Alexandr Solzhenitsyn

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The Smartest Kid in the Universe

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!