oscillate

verb

os·​cil·​late ˈä-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
oscillated; oscillating
Synonyms of oscillate

intransitive verb

1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
The fan was oscillating.
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
… he oscillates regularly between his comfortable home … and his downtown office-laboratory …—Gladwin Hill
2
: to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories
The mood of the voters has oscillated between optimism and pessimism.
3
: to vary above and below a mean value
Bank rate oscillates between 2 and 6 percent.
oscillatory
ˈä-sə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for oscillate

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Examples of oscillate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Understanding these effects could help identify the physical limits of controlling electrons with rapidly oscillating light fields. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 The following performances were, to borrow from West’s lexicon of rehearsal instructions, an oscillating mix of corny and crispy. — Nolan Kelly, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026 The fashion double act perfectly fit the rhythm of a musician whose personal style has become increasingly eclectic, oscillating between oversized sportswear, collegiate staples, rare archival finds, and extraordinarily expensive accessories. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026 Water waves caused by, say, 50 stones thrown into a pond have a wavelength of a few centimeters and oscillate with a frequency of around 10 hertz (Hz). — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oscillate

Word History

Etymology

Latin oscillatus, past participle of oscillare to swing, from oscillum swing

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of oscillate was in 1726

Rhymes for oscillate

See All Rhymes for oscillate

Browse Nearby Words

Osceola
oscillate
oscillating current
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscillate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oscillate

verb
os·​cil·​late ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
oscillated; oscillating
1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
2
: to have trouble deciding between opposing beliefs, feelings, or ideas
oscillatory
ˈäs-ə-lə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

Medical Definition

oscillate

intransitive verb
os·​cil·​late ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
oscillated; oscillating
1
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
2
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
oscillatory
ˈäs-ə-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce oscillate (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on oscillate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oscillate

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