Thesaurus results for VIBRATE

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

Some common synonyms of vibrate are fluctuate , oscillate , sway , swing , undulate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. // the vibrating strings of a piano

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

The words fluctuate and vibrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: In what contexts can 'oscillate' take the place of 'vibrate'?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sway' instead of 'vibrate'?

The synonyms sway and vibrate are sometimes interchangeable, but sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. // trees swaying in the breeze

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

The meanings of swing and vibrate largely overlap; however, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: When is 'undulate' a more appropriate choice than 'vibrate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to vibrate , undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. // an undulating sea of grass

Q: When would 'waver' be a good substitute for 'vibrate'?

While the synonyms waver and vibrate are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. // the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

vibrate

verb

ˈvī-ˌbrāt

Definition of vibrate next

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the glasses and knickknacks on the shelves vibrated during the slight earthquake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vibrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vibrate are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, swing, undulate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When might fluctuate be a better fit than vibrate?

The words fluctuate and vibrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

In what contexts can oscillate take the place of vibrate?

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

an oscillating fan

When is it sensible to use sway instead of vibrate?

The synonyms sway and vibrate are sometimes interchangeable, but sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can swing be used instead of vibrate?

The meanings of swing and vibrate largely overlap; however, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When is undulate a more appropriate choice than vibrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to vibrate, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When would waver be a good substitute for vibrate?

While the synonyms waver and vibrate are close in meaning, 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 vibrate It’s composed of rows of TV monitors arranged into a grid (à la Minimalism) and displaying undulating black-and-white patterns that appear to vibrate (à la Op). —

Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025 In another breakthrough, researchers built an ultra-sensitive microphone informed by spider silk, which vibrates with the subtle perturbations of sound waves moving through the air. —

Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024 Week after week, Ossietzky turned out articles that vibrated with energy. —

Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024 References to 1950s ephemera score writing so alive that the sentences seem almost to vibrate, like particles let loose by a madman. —

Alexander Nazaryan, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vibrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vibrate

Verb

My desire is stronger for us, even in just this country, to heal, and to talk, and to shake each other’s hands.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
Johnson’s father had witnessed Anderson shaking, throwing and roughly handling the baby in the past, causing the child to scream, prosecutors said.

— Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025