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Definitions

oscillate

[os-uh-leyt] / ˈɒs əˌleɪt /
VERB
change back and forth
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fluctuate lurch seesaw teeter vacillate waver wobble
STRONG
dangle fishtail flicker librate palpitate pitch pivot reel ripple rock roll stagger sway swing switch swivel teeter-totter thrash toss totter undulate vary vibrate waddle wag waggle waltz wave whirl wiggle
WEAK
be unsteady pendulate
Antonyms
STRONGEST
remain stay
STRONG
be still stabilize steady

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.

Conditions oscillate between La Nina and its warming opposite El Nino, with neutral conditions in between.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

“It’s been kind of a sideways-driven market that is continuing to oscillate between good economic data and bad jobs data.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026

At the heart of the technology are microwave-frequency vibrations that oscillate billions of times per second.

From Science Daily • Dec. 26, 2025

You talked about how women have to oscillate between trying to be likable and lovable.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025

Would it oscillate back and forth until it came to rest?

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.