1
as in fluctuation
the frequent and usually sudden passing from one condition to another
fickle springtime weather in which there seemed to be an unceasing oscillation between unseasonable heat and unseasonable cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in vibration
a series of slight movements by a body back and forth or from side to side
the precise oscillations of the quartz crystal that allows a quartz watch to keep such accurate time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 oscillation
Mountain waves are oscillations in airflow that can happen when the wind blows across a mountain or hill.
—
Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 10 Jan. 2025
This involves oscillation, meaning that with each flap, the fins deform into a wave shape (kind of like a bird’s wings) before momentarily flattening out again and starting the process over.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
According to a team of researchers at MIT, sound and light oscillations at 40-hertz active a neural-cleansing process that helps remove beta-amyloid, the protein that clumps together in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2024
These waves are steady and simultaneous oscillations of electrical voltage in the cortex that happen during deep sleep.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for oscillation 
Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 10 Jan. 2025
This involves oscillation, meaning that with each flap, the fins deform into a wave shape (kind of like a bird’s wings) before momentarily flattening out again and starting the process over.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
According to a team of researchers at MIT, sound and light oscillations at 40-hertz active a neural-cleansing process that helps remove beta-amyloid, the protein that clumps together in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2024
These waves are steady and simultaneous oscillations of electrical voltage in the cortex that happen during deep sleep.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for oscillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oscillation
Noun
-
The market seems a little confused about how to grade Disney’s report, evidenced by the stock’s fluctuation between gains and losses.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The report used each repeat sale to compute the compound annual return (CAR) of the fluctuation in price over time between purchase and sale.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Its seven vibration patterns and 10 speed settings provide plenty of variety—FYI, that’s 70 combinations total.—
Gabrielle Kassel,
SELF,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Catches, kicks, throws, passes, goals, touchdowns and home runs will all be buzzed to the user through different vibration patterns.—
Michael Irving,
New Atlas,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
People change, victims and their families’ attitudes change, public attitudes change, and yet sentences remain static, set in stone.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
But longtime neighbors have long feared what all this change will mean for a neighborhood once known for its charm and local businesses.—
Alexandria Sands,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near oscillation
Cite this Entry
“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oscillation. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share