undulate

verb

Definition of undulatenext
as in to oscillate
formal to move or be shaped like waves undulating hills an undulating surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb undulate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of undulate are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, swing, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When is fluctuate a more appropriate choice than undulate?

While in some cases nearly identical to undulate, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

Where would oscillate be a reasonable alternative to undulate?

The words oscillate and undulate can be used in similar contexts, but oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When can sway be used instead of undulate?

While the synonyms sway and undulate are close in meaning, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When might swing be a better fit than undulate?

Although the words swing and undulate have much in common, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When would vibrate be a good substitute for undulate?

The meanings of vibrate and undulate largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When is it sensible to use waver instead of undulate?

In some situations, the words waver and undulate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 undulate That’s about to change with the establishment of the Pocket Peak AVA—a wine-growing region within the valley defined by its steep, undulating hills and volcanic and gravelly loam soils—expected in fall 2025. —Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024 Kuma designed a 100-meter-long canopy with an undulating ceramic roof, inspired by traditional Japanese architecture. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 At the sight of the beautiful low-angle glade covered in undulating powder, the Rogers duo looked equally excited and apprehensive. —David Goodman, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025 Sheets of undulating snow led into gently lapping Arctic waves. —Akash Kapur, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for undulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undulate
  1. oscillate
  2. fluctuate
  3. wave
  4. flutter
  5. vibrate
  6. shake
  7. flicker
  8. convulse
Verb
  • Her own instrumentation is her iconoclastic blend of classic and contemporary vocabulary oscillating between presentational formality and pedestrian nonchalance.
    — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Gazans’ support for the October 7 attack appears to have oscillated in recent months.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of oscillate
Verb
  • In the wake of the administration’s fluctuating messaging on tariffs, chip manufacturers are finding themselves in a tight spot ahead of key earnings reports.
    — Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The narrator describes having her period, and the way her thoughts and emotions fluctuate through her cycle.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of fluctuate
Verb
  • Counter-protesters posted up on street corners outside the college campus, waving pro-Trump flags and gathering signatures for the latest effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom from office.
    — Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Shoji Kawamori ran up on stage, waving the master tape with a fair degree of jubilation.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of wave
Verb
  • The Chinese and Hong Kong flags flutter as screens display the Hang Seng Index outside the Exchange Square complex, which houses the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, on January 21, 2021 in Hong Kong, China.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Romantic connections will sweeten up by April 30 regardless, as your amorous ruler Venus finally flutters back into your relationship sector, softening your heart to the healing magic of love.
    — Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of flutter
Verb
  • The shock of the President Trump tariffs still vibrates through the world.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The vibrating bar also assists with lymphatic drainage, ably contouring, defining, and depuffing the face.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of vibrate
Verb
  • The back-and-forth over tariffs shook confidence in U.S. leadership, exposed fractures within Trump’s team and rattled companies that rely on global sources for products and international customers for sales.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • After days of plunging market share scares, Wall Street saw significant gains on Tuesday for the first time after Trump’s tariffs announcement shook investors and rattled company shares.
    — Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of shake
Verb
  • The tech-heavy Nasdaq, the S&P 500 and Russell 2000, which started off in positive territory as well, are flickering red and green.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Once Joe left alone — with Halsey (Phil Burke), the suspect, in lockup — the lights flicker out.
    — Lisa de los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of flicker
Verb
  • To take but one example, the riots that convulsed swatches of England and Northern Ireland last year were fueled by social media accounts claiming sickening crimes by immigrants, amplified by right-wing accounts.
    — David Robert Grimes, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Taiwan’s new president calls for peace amid tenuous relations with China At the time, China was convulsed by civil war.
    — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of convulse

Browse Nearby Words

undulant
undulate
undulated
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Undulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulate. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on undulate

Nglish: Translation of undulate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All