undulate

verb

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

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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 More than 8 acres of gently undulating land, punctuated by freshwater springs and near-daily rainbows. —Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 Next: an exhibit where visitors can ride a Seussian tricycle with square wheels around an undulating yellow track. —Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 The road passes vast farm fields, undulating grasslands dotted with towering wind turbines and sprawling cattle ranches before entering Amarillo, the Panhandle’s largest city. —Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025 Turrets, undulating brickwork and roof shingles are his trademark, too. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 14 June 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
  • The fan can tilt 90 degrees vertically and oscillate horizontally 90 degrees, cooling a wide area with precision.
    — Maggie Horton, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • Whether oscillating, revolving, or pulsating—each sprinkler had its own set of benefits and games to go along with.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Definition of oscillate
Verb
  • 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
Definition of fluctuate
Verb
  • He was waved home by third base coach Tim Leiper and was called safe before the call was overturned on replay review, ending the inning.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • Marching bands played, flags and politicians waved, and thousands of people crowded the sidewalks along Biddle Avenue in Wyandotte for the 88th annual Independence Day Parade.
    — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 5 July 2025
Definition of wave
Verb
  • What was supposed to be down and on the outside corner instead fluttered up and above the zone.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
  • Every exploding firework rocket will eventually tumble and flutter down to the ground in a cloud of debris.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 4 July 2025
Definition of flutter
Verb
  • Somewhere around hour two of not moving, my hamstrings began to vibrate like the low end of a baby grand.
    — Peter Rubin, Longreads, 8 July 2025
  • Their beating wings vibrate, inadvertently loosening pollen, which then falls onto the female part of the flower.
    — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Definition of vibrate
Verb
  • But the humble protein powerhouse has never seemed to be able to shake the bad reputation.
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • The earth begins to shake as the animals, each one a small tank of muscle, thunder along the route at speeds of up to 20 miles an hour, scattering runners.
    — Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Our instructions were simple enough: do not lose sight of each other, and follow the flickering lights from space to space.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 26 June 2025
  • During Dead & Company’s residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, the silhouette of the Wall appears once more, towering above the crowd, a flickering memory made mythic.
    — Noah Eckstein, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
Definition of flicker
Verb
  • Bangkok has since been convulsed by protests against her government, and a legal petition has demanded her resignation.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
  • That all went up in smoke as quickly as a car on the streets of Los Angeles, as the city was convulsed by violent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Definition of convulse

Browse Nearby Words

undulant
undulate
undulated
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Cite this Entry

“Undulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undulate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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