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 Teams are permitted to exceed the league’s $95.5 million cap by up to 10%, or $9.55 million, during the summer as rosters fluctuate. —Kaitlyn Pohly july 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025 O’Brien may also have to answer for his associations with Trump, whose popularity among members could fluctuate over the next 15 months. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025 Recently, the price has fluctuated more between $65 and $95, which makes this Prime Day star projector deal worth getting. —Alexander Cox, Space.com, 10 July 2025 The numbers will almost certainly fluctuate by state. —Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluctuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuate
  1. vary
  2. change
  3. shift
Verb
  • For those born earlier, the full retirement age varies and is less than 67 based on when you were born.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 21 July 2025
  • Both regular and decaf coffee stimulate the bowels, but their effects vary depending on the caffeine content and additives like milk.
    — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
Definition of vary
Verb
  • The organization has already changed laws in 21 states—red, blue, and purple—working across political divides to embed economic justice into survivor support systems.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • And then, in 2005, a certain Impala rolled into his life and everything changed.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of change
Verb
  • Since the 2000s, Fox's focus has shifted from acting to working tirelessly toward a cure for Parkinson’s after being diagnosed with the disease in 1991 at age 29.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 26 July 2025
  • Their deadline outlook has seemingly shifted in the last couple of weeks due to the resurgence.
    — Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of shift

Browse Nearby Words

flubs
fluctuate
fluctuated
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Cite this Entry

“Fluctuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuate. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of fluctuate for Spanish Speakers

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