FLUCTUATING Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

fluctuating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈflək-chə-ˌwā-tiŋ

Definition of fluctuating

as in volatile

likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly a fluctuating stock market makes it hard for investors to know what to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in changing

not staying constant our speed was constantly fluctuating, so the figure of 50 miles per hour is just an average

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fluctuating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fluctuate

as in varying

to pass from one form, state, or level to another temperatures will fluctuate between the low and high 50s today

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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 fluctuating

Adjective

Don’t Leave Pumpkins to Extreme Elements Pumpkins prefer consistency, so fluctuating temperatures—such as freezing nights followed by warm, sunny days—can weaken them. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2025 Many rival fans have had a good laugh at Tottenham and their wildly fluctuating results this season. — Nick Miller, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024 The same amount of water per unit time can arrive as a smooth, steady rain of many small drops or as a strongly fluctuating shower with fewer but much larger drops. — Douglas Natelson, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024 Irwin said that the characters’ runaway emotions are mirrored by the wildly fluctuating time signatures. — Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2024

Verb

There’s an Iran war that won’t end, heightening anxieties, plus fluctuating trade policies for those who deal with foreign goods or markets. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026 The researchers suggested that the cavity’s fluctuating electromagnetic field interacts with the superconducting state through virtual photons. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026 Rogers and el Sayed are expected to face off in a tight primary race, with initial polls fluctuating between the two candidates in single-digit margins. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 But that doesn’t necessarily provide a holistic view of your levels, Navani explained, because hormones are constantly fluctuating in response to your environment, emotional state, and individual biology. — Cathy Cassata, HEALTH, 21 Aug. 2026 These fluctuating moisture levels pose a challenge to many plants. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026 That momentum hasn’t entirely been maintained since, with fluctuating match day attendance figures propped up by big numbers at a single club, Arsenal, though there’s reason to hope this year could mark the next push in popularity. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 19 Aug. 2026 Between differing payment preferences, fluctuating exchange rates, and foreign transaction fees, visitors may find that staying financially flexible is just as important as planning the trip itself. — Td Bank, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 Democrats are up significantly from July of 2025 and Republicans have had fluctuating support, but stayed at or around the 40% mark for the entire year, according to the polls. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluctuating

Adjective

One wild card for inflation has been oil prices, which have been volatile due to uncertainty about the war in Iran.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Citadel’s stock transactions are giving investors a glimpse of how Griffin is navigating an increasingly volatile market.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of volatile

Adjective

The difference is not the map, but how changing conditions are interpreted along the way.

— Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.

— Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025

Definition of changing

Verb

Staluppi has many odes to 007 from varying shipyards out there, all named for films featuring Ian Fleming’s iconic character.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
In June, Baumeyer launched 20-0, an online game that lets players draft a fantasy team from varying eras in gridiron history in hopes of amassing a score worthy of a perfect season.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of varying

Adjective

Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan and VISTEC in Thailand say the approach could help robots move more effectively through unpredictable terrain.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Prolific and versatile, Richard Linklater has been one of the most joyously unpredictable filmmakers for more than 35 years.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unpredictable

Adjective

That is an unusually light amount of in-game preparation for a second-year quarterback learning a new offense, especially since Dart and the offense have had an uneven summer at best.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
Together, these findings pointed to uneven conditions beneath the road.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneven

Adjective

Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.

— San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023
Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.

— Jordan Kisner Jack Davison, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2022

Definition of changeful

Adjective

Risk assessments should examine where a river bends, where slopes are unstable and where a single failure could cut off several communities.

— Victoria Milko, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Significant political risk remains due to Venezuela's unstable government and historical tendency to renege on oil agreements.

— Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of unstable

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“Fluctuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluctuating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fluctuating

adjective

verb

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