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

Synonym Chooser

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 Her characters, buffeted by the era’s fluctuating currencies, inherited this crisis of equivalence. —

Laurence Scott, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025 Currency exchange rates fluctuate daily but, considering that in late September 2024, $1 would get you only €0.89, this is welcome news for U.S. travelers heading to Europe. —

Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 15 Jan. 2025 The Journey Of A Thousand Miles Began With A Natural Raft Approximately 30 to 40 million years ago, South America was an isolated landmass, separated from Africa by an expanse of ocean that spanned 900 to 1,300 miles (1,800 km), depending on fluctuating sea levels. —

Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 Wind and other factors can sometimes cause spotfires to jump these lines, which is why containment percentages can fluctuate, the Fire Chiefs Association’s website added. —

Janhvi Bhojwani, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fluctuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuate

Verb

The symptoms experienced by each person will vary based on the parts of the body that are affected.1 Some symptoms are a result of the cancer, and others are related to treatment.

— Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
The dollar amount that households receive will vary significantly and depend on your pay, filing status, and the size of your family.

— Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025