fluctuate
verb
fluc·tu·ate
ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt 
-chü-ˌāt
fluctuated; fluctuating
1
: to shift back and forth uncertainly
Oil prices fluctuated.
Temperatures fluctuated.
2
: to rise and fall in or as if in waves
The boat fluctuated on the rough sea.
: to cause to fluctuate
Examples of fluctuate in a Sentence
His popularity has fluctuated during his term in office.
In the desert, the temperature fluctuates dramatically.
Recent Examples on the Web
As markets fluctuate wildly, stocks teeter on uncertainty, and companies tighten budgets, professionals across industries are questioning their future.
—
Margie Warrell, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Fuel prices began to drop the next month but continued to fluctuate between 2022 and 2024.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Mar. 2025
These increases do not include other parts of power bills that could also fluctuate, such as the way Florida Power & Light customers are paying a fee of about $12 per month on this year’s bills for costs associated with 2024 hurricanes.
—Emily L. Mahoney, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2025
One client recently explained how pharmacy pricing fluctuates depending on which insurance card is used, and how pharmacists can leverage a Universal Rx system to find the lowest available price.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuate
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Margie Warrell, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Fuel prices began to drop the next month but continued to fluctuate between 2022 and 2024.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Mar. 2025
These increases do not include other parts of power bills that could also fluctuate, such as the way Florida Power & Light customers are paying a fee of about $12 per month on this year’s bills for costs associated with 2024 hurricanes.
—Emily L. Mahoney, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2025
One client recently explained how pharmacy pricing fluctuates depending on which insurance card is used, and how pharmacists can leverage a Universal Rx system to find the lowest available price.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuate
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluctuate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fluctuate
verb
fluc·tu·ate
ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt
fluctuated; fluctuating
1
: to move up and down or back and forth like a wave
2
: to be constantly changing especially up and down
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