oscillate
Move back, forth
Oscillate means to swing back and forth with regular rhythm, like a pendulum or a fan turning side to side.
The word extends to any wavering between positions or states: She oscillated between excitement and dread.
In physics and electronics, oscillation describes repetitive variation around a central point—sound waves oscillate, electrical currents oscillate.
The market oscillated wildly before settling.
Vary irregularly over time
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- varyTo show differences
- shiftMovement or work period
- alternateOccur in succession
cycle · ebb · flow · swing · undulate · vacillate · modulate · transition
Trembling or arrow case
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- pulseArterial blood throb
- resonateVibrate or echo deeply
- frequencyRate of recurrence
amplitude · waveform · harmonic · resonance · damping · tremolo · vibrato · ultrasonic
Suspended swinging weight
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- bobShort vertical movement
- metronomeAdjustable beat-marking device
- fulcrumLever's balance point
pivot · arc · counterweight · escapement · period · harmonic · momentum · gravity
Waver between choices
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- equivocateSpeak vaguely to mislead
- ditherNervous inability to choose
waffle · teeter · shilly-shally · fence-sitting · torn · ambivalent · undecided · irresolute
fluctuate
Vary irregularly over time
alternate · cycle · ebb · flow · swing · undulate · vacillate · modulate · transition · deviate
quiver
Trembling or arrow case
frequency · amplitude · waveform · harmonic · resonance · damping · tremolo · vibrato · ultrasonic · seismic
pendulum
Suspended swinging weight
fulcrum · pivot · arc · counterweight · escapement · period · harmonic · momentum · gravity · suspension
vacillate
Waver between choices
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- equivocateSpeak vaguely to mislead
dither · waffle · teeter · shilly-shally · fence-sitting · torn · ambivalent · undecided · irresolute · indecisive
sine
Opposite over hypotenuse
amplitude · phase · wavelength · crest · trough · AC · alternating · signal · radio · electromagnetic
oscillatedecide
Reach a conclusion
determine · commit · resolve · choose · make up one's mind
oscillatestabilize
Make firm or constant
hold steady · plateau · level off · equilibrate · flatline
- oscillating fanRotating electric air circulator
- oscillating sprinklerRotating lawn water distributor
- local oscillatorInternal signal for frequency conversion
- oscillating sawBlade vibrates side-to-side
oscillation, oscillating, oscillated, oscillator, oscillates, oscillations, oscillatory, oscillators