View synonyms for oscillate

oscillate

[ os-uh-leyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

, os·cil·lat·ed, os·cil·lat·ing.

to swing or move to and fro, as a pendulum does.
to vary or vacillate between differing beliefs, opinions, conditions, etc.:
He oscillates regularly between elation and despair.
Synonyms: waver, fluctuate
Physics. to have, produce, or generate oscillations.
Mathematics. (of a function, sequence, etc.) to tend to no limit, including infinity:
The sequence 0, 1, 0, 1, … oscillates.

, os·cil·lat·ed, os·cil·lat·ing.

oscillate

/ ˈɒsɪˌleɪt /

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

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

Americans oscillate in their opinions of women involved in affairs, seeing them either as villains or victims.

In this position he stood for some moments, apparently watching the tail, which still continued to oscillate rapidly.

He operated on the tiny radio with his pocket-knife to establish a circuit which should oscillate when the battery was turned on.

In other words, it is necessary to be able to adjust the rate at which the currents will oscillate between the antenna and earth.

It does not oscillate (or pump), though extremely sensitive.

These, according to Mr. Darwin, oscillate till they touch an object, and then embrace it.

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