FLUCTUATE Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'fluctuate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fluctuate are oscillate , sway , swing , undulate , vibrate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: When would 'oscillate' be a good substitute for 'fluctuate'?

Although the words oscillate and fluctuate have much in common, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. // an oscillating fan

Q: Where would 'sway' be a reasonable alternative to 'fluctuate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluctuate , sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. // trees swaying in the breeze

Q: When can 'swing' be used instead of 'fluctuate'?

The synonyms swing and fluctuate are sometimes interchangeable, but swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: When is it sensible to use 'undulate' instead of 'fluctuate'?

In some situations, the words undulate and fluctuate are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. // an undulating sea of grass

Q: When might 'vibrate' be a better fit than 'fluctuate'?

While the synonyms vibrate and fluctuate are close in meaning, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. // the vibrating strings of a piano

Q: When could 'waver' be used to replace 'fluctuate'?

The words waver and fluctuate can be used in similar contexts, but waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. // the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

fluctuate

verb

ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt

Definition of fluctuate next

as in to vary

to pass from one form, state, or level to another temperatures will fluctuate between the low and high 50s today

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb fluctuate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fluctuate are oscillate, sway, swing, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When would oscillate be a good substitute for fluctuate?

Although the words oscillate and fluctuate have much in common, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

Where would sway be a reasonable alternative to fluctuate?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluctuate, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can swing be used instead of fluctuate?

The synonyms swing and fluctuate are sometimes interchangeable, but swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When is it sensible to use undulate instead of fluctuate?

In some situations, the words undulate and fluctuate are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When might vibrate be a better fit than fluctuate?

While the synonyms vibrate and fluctuate are close in meaning, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When could waver be used to replace fluctuate?

The words waver and fluctuate can be used in similar contexts, but waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of fluctuate For a time, the odds of impact fluctuated around 1% before suddenly jumping in recent days to 2.3%. —

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 Ticket prices tend to fluctuate regularly and on different platforms, but this year's trends are a stark contrast to last year's matchup, when tickets soared to record prices. —

Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025 New research suggests that temperatures on ancient Mars may have fluctuated between hot and cold periods through a relatively short period during its lifetime of billions of years. —

Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2025 The rate has fluctuated over the past decade, peaking at 35 incursions per 1 million takeoffs and landings in 2017 and 2018 and a low of 28 in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. —

Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fluctuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuate

Verb

Don't forget: Regulations on backyard chickens vary across municipalities and HOAs.

— Carly Mallenbaum, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
His results were mixed as Paddack’s velocity varied from start to start.

— Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025