zig-zag
Sharp alternating turns
Zig-zag describes a pattern or path that moves sharply from side to side in alternating directions, forming a series of angles rather than a smooth curve.
As a verb, to zig-zag is to move in this fashion: The rabbit zig-zagged across the field to evade the hawk.
The pattern appears everywhere from mountain roads to decorative textiles.
Someone who zig-zags in conversation or decision-making keeps changing direction unpredictably.
Interlace strands into fabric
- swerveAbrupt directional change
- veerChange course suddenly
- slalomSki race through gates
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
jink · sidestep · meander · snake · oscillate · deviate · lurch · pivot
Reversing mountain path
- hairpinU-shaped fastener for tresses
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- trailPath through wilderness
climb · descent · traverse · gradient · incline · steep · route · alpine
V-shaped line or symbol
- herringboneV-shaped diagonal weave
- stripeContrasting linear marking
- crisscrossOverlapping lines in X-shapes
- waveOscillating motion through medium
geometric · tessellation · motif · repetition · symmetry · design · interlock · angular
Craft with needle and thread
- overlockEdge-binding stitch
- sergerEdge-finishing sewing machine
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- hemmingSewing a fabric edge
seam · reinforce · stretch · binding · edging · elastic · appliqué · topstitch
Cannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
- randomOccurring without pattern
- fluctuatingShifting irregularly over time
inconsistent · sporadic · variable · volatile · scattered · unsteady · haphazard · disjointed
weave
Interlace strands into fabric
dodge · jink · sidestep · meander · snake · oscillate · deviate · lurch · pivot · twist
switchback
Reversing mountain path
- hairpinU-shaped fastener for tresses
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
trail · climb · descent · traverse · gradient · incline · steep · route · alpine · terraced
chevron
V-shaped line or symbol
- herringboneV-shaped diagonal weave
- stripeContrasting linear marking
- crisscrossOverlapping lines in X-shapes
wave · geometric · tessellation · motif · repetition · symmetry · design · interlock · angular · diagonal
sewing
Craft with needle and thread
- overlockEdge-binding stitch
- sergerEdge-finishing sewing machine
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
hemming · seam · reinforce · stretch · binding · edging · elastic · appliqué · topstitch · machine
unpredictable
Cannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
- randomOccurring without pattern
fluctuating · inconsistent · sporadic · variable · volatile · scattered · unsteady · haphazard · disjointed · unstable
- Reduplicativesbye-bye, mama, papa, haha, yo-yo
- tree algorithmstraversal, preorder, DFS, breadth-first, depth-first
- swayingsway, oscillate, rock, swing, undulate
- oscillationoscillation, back and forth, back-and-forth, to and fro, ebb and flow
zig-zagstraight
Not curved or crooked
linear · direct · straight line · unbent · rectilinear
zig-zagdirect
Undeviating or to guide
straight · beeline · as the crow flies · unwavering · undeviating