oscillate

[ os-uh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, os·cil·lat·ed, os·cil·lat·ing.

1. to swing or move to and fro, as a pendulum does.
2. to vary or vacillate between differing beliefs, opinions, conditions, etc.:

   He oscillates regularly between elation and despair.

   Synonyms: waver, fluctuate

3. Physics. to have, produce, or generate oscillations.
4. Mathematics. (of a function, sequence, etc.) to tend to no limit, including infinity:

   The sequence 0, 1, 0, 1, … oscillates.

verb (used with object)

, os·cil·lat·ed, os·cil·lat·ing.

1. to cause to move to and fro; vibrate.

oscillate

/ ˈɒsɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. intr to move or swing from side to side regularly
2. intr to waver between opinions, courses of action, etc
3. physics to undergo or produce or cause to undergo or produce oscillation

Other Words From

• inter·oscil·late verb interoscillated interoscillating
• un·oscil·lating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oscillate¹

1720–30; < Latin oscillātus (past participle of oscillāre “to swing, ride on a swing”), equivalent to oscill(um) “a swing” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of oscillate¹

C18: from Latin oscillāre to swing, from oscillum a swing

Synonym Study

See swing ¹.

Example Sentences

Hurricane Milton is currently expected to impact Florida on Wednesday, although experts acknowledge that its oscillating speeds make this somewhat uncertain.

From Salon

While countries like ours may “oscillate a bit and become more or less democratic,” de Mesquita said, there has “never” in history been a mature democracy that has slid into authoritarianism, dictatorship or autocracy.

From Salon

At the core of the film is the undeniable chemistry between Pitt and Clooney, which oscillates between camaraderie and competition.

From BBC

But someone in L.A. could have felt the “S” wave, in which bedrock oscillates perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of the wave, according to Page.

From Los Angeles Times

“We sort of think the outer core is stirring up the inner core, but the mantle’s trying to keep it aligned — maybe that’s why it’s oscillating,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fluctuate
• lurch
• seesaw
• teeter
• vacillate
• waver
• wobble