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 Throughout the song’s undulating, fluid melodies, Kali and Mariah trade verses about the importance of loyalty in love, all while maintaining their own otherworldly vocals in the process. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025 October 2022 found areas of the Anza-Borrego Desert painted with thick bunches of yellow goldeneye flowers, carpets of yellow chinchweed and clusters of purple sand verbena sweeping over undulating sand dunes along Highway S-22 heading toward Salton Sea. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025 However, in both cases, their undulating branches were capable of growing up to 15 inches long. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025 Advertisement Black Americans understood that the struggle for freedom could be long and undulating. —Time, 12 Sep. 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
  • This heater has two heat settings and an oscillating base so heat is evenly distributed throughout your space.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Our judgments may oscillate, but our fascination stays constant.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of oscillate
Verb
  • The dress is made from a fine-gauge knit that offers warmth without feeling bulky, which is essential for fluctuating weather.
    — Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Radon levels fluctuate constantly due to weather, HVAC use, and even seasonal patterns.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of fluctuate
Verb
  • George waved him off and strode through our flat to the balcony.
    — David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
    — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of wave
Verb
  • The Bolas spider creates a silk lasso to catch fluttering moths.
    — Kate Siber, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Novo Nordisk flags flutter outside their office in Bagsvaerd, on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 14, 2025.
    — Annika Kim Constantino,Bertha Coombs, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of flutter
Verb
  • In a story that is sometimes outweighed by its tragic end, Selena y Los Dinos manages to radiate joy by showing Selena as a human being, vibrating with energy, determination, and an infectious sense of humor.
    — Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
  • These waves, called microwaves, cause particles in food to vibrate and absorb power.
    — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of vibrate
Verb
  • The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter roughly 9 miles west of Johannesburg.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of shake
Verb
  • By the time it was all set up, the whole cold, disintegrating place was threaded with lights and lines, flickering everywhere, black and red, the sheer quantity somehow terrifying and embracing at once.
    — Blair Braverman, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Guests report nurses walking through the halls pushing wheelchairs, dark figures, cold spots, smells like cherry tobacco without a source, flickering lights and visitors feeling ill in certain areas of the hotel such as the old hospital wings and the morgue (now the site of the spa).
    — Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of flicker
Verb
  • Some skimming of the froth would not be unhealthy, though the question is whether the market got wound tightly enough that a hiccup in the high-momentum groups convulses the rest of the market too.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The new information suggested at least modest progress in an investigation into a killing that law enforcement was treating as the latest instance of political violence to convulse the United States across the ideological spectrum.
    — Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 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 29 Oct. 2025.

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