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fluctuate

verb

ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce fluctuate (audio)
Definition of fluctuatenext
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 Deaths fluctuate widely year to year, ranging from a low of 1 death in 2020-21, the first year of the Covid pandemic, to peaks of 288 in 2009-10 and 289 in 2024-25. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026 Pricing will fluctuate month to month due to selling seasonality and other factors. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026 Plus, Malekzadeh said that the estrogen changes in the rats happened abruptly, which doesn’t reflect the gradual and fluctuating loss women experience due to perimenopause and menopause. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Jan. 2026 This often leads to fluctuating prices in North Texas. —Yamil Berard, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fluctuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuate
  1. vary
  2. change
  3. shift
Verb
  • The building will be built into a 40-foot hill, so the height will vary but reaches about 109 feet, or eight stories, on one end.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Just as many of us have different budgets, your version of healthy may vary a bit from others.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of vary
Verb
  • Rather than focusing only on crash performance, safety systems now need to adjust dynamically to changing vehicle states and user behavior.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
  • One pro tip is to pack a clean Eclipser Hoody in your pack to change into at the end of a hike for cooling comfort on the drive home.
    — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Definition of change
Verb
  • As 2025 fades away in the rearview mirror, Americans have quickly shifted their attention toward recent events in Venezuela.
    — Stephen Wilder, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The company later shifted focus to menstrual health.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of shift

Browse Nearby Words

flubs
fluctuate
fluctuated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fluctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuate. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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