Synonyms for oscillate
Definitions
- v. 1
To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.
A pendulum oscillates slower as it gets longer.
Related words
- Word family
- oscillation
Forms
- Past participle
- oscillated
e.g. oscillated → vacillated, vibrated, fluctuated, wavered…
Choose the right word
The pendulum of a clock may be said to swing, vibrate, or oscillate; a steel bridge vibrates under the passage of a heavy train; the term vibrate is also applied to molecular movements.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- vibrate Mary's cellphone started to vibrate in her pocket.
- fluctuate Vegetable prices fluctuate according to the season.
- waver We will also not waver in our values and our principles as a nation.
By length
- 4 letters
- rock1, wave1, reel1, sway1
- 5 letters
- swing1, shake1, hover2, waver2
- 6 letters
- wobble2, totter2
- 7 letters
- vibrate2, flutter2, tremble2
- 9 letters
- fluctuate3, vacillate3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (hover2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- osciller
- Italiano
- oscillare
- Español
- oscilar
- Deutsch
- oszillieren
- Català
- oscil·lar