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
  • Food and wine options are robust, varying depending on the season and specific route.
    Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025
  • On The Water Apart from that sense of solitude, a major part of the appeal is clearly the location: on a peninsula with one side fronting the calm, pure turquoise water of the Caicos Bank; the other side, the rolling waves of the Atlantic in varying shades of blue.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The market landscape underwent shifts, however, and these changed the demands on Rwazi’s platform.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The bottom line, though, is Butler’s thinking hasn’t changed.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the Bills had shifted their offensive line protection toward the All-Pro Jones, which allowed the space for him and Reid to run free.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Now the market has shifted toward cotton grown with regenerative practices.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near fluctuate

Cite this Entry

“Fluctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuate. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fluctuate

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