oscillate
verb
os·cil·late
ˈä-sə-ˌlāt 
oscillated; oscillating
1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
The fan was oscillating.
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
he oscillates regularly between his comfortable home … and his downtown office-laboratory—
Gladwin Hill
Gladwin Hill2
: to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories
The mood of the voters has oscillated between optimism and pessimism.
3
: to vary above and below a mean value
Bank rate oscillates between 2 and 6 percent.
Examples of oscillate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For this one, Wunna oscillated between all areas of his catalog.
—Peter A. Berry, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2024
But the Rams have the better roster, highlighted by quarterback Matthew Stafford as the Raiders oscillate between quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.
—Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 20 Oct. 2024
The tower fan oscillates up to 350 degrees and has multiple smart settings that can be controlled by a convenient remote.
—Cai Cramer, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Foil razors use sharp blades and an ultra-thin outer foil to cut hairs as close to the skin as possible, maintaining a delicate balance where the blades don’t touch your skin directly but oscillate behind a metal screen.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for oscillate 
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Peter A. Berry, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2024
But the Rams have the better roster, highlighted by quarterback Matthew Stafford as the Raiders oscillate between quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.
—Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 20 Oct. 2024
The tower fan oscillates up to 350 degrees and has multiple smart settings that can be controlled by a convenient remote.
—Cai Cramer, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Foil razors use sharp blades and an ultra-thin outer foil to cut hairs as close to the skin as possible, maintaining a delicate balance where the blades don’t touch your skin directly but oscillate behind a metal screen.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for oscillate
Dictionary Entries Near oscillate
Cite this Entry
“Oscillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscillate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oscillate
verb
os·cil·late
ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt
oscillated; oscillating
1
a
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
b
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
2
: to have trouble deciding between opposing beliefs, feelings, or ideas
Medical Definition
oscillate
intransitive verb
os·cil·late
ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt
oscillated; oscillating
1
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
2
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
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