List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 389

SYNONYMS: swing, oscillate, sway, rock, vibrate, fluctuate, undulate, waver.
These verbs mean to move in a back-and-forth, up-and-down, or to-and-fro pattern.

Swing usually applies to arc like movement of something attached at one extremity and free at the other: The ship's lanterns swung violently in the raging storm. The shutter swung open. Her purse swings from her shoulder on a long strap.
Oscillate refers to steady, uninterrupted back-and-forth motion, as that of a pendulum; in an extended sense it denotes vacillation, as between conflicting purposes: They oscillated between fear of Rome and desire of independence.
Sway suggests the movement of something unsteady, light, or flexible: There were thousands of the little yellow blossoms all swaying to the light wind.
To rock is to swing gently or rhythmically or sway or tilt violently: The ruins of the ancient church seemed actually to rock and threaten to fall.
Vibrate usually implies quick periodic oscillations; it often suggests trembling, pulsating, or quivering: The engine made the whole room vibrates.
Fluctuate is most often used figuratively to imply fairly constant alternating change: Prices fluctuated violently from the irregularity of the crops.
Undulate implies smooth wavelike movement: The ripe wheat undulated in the breeze like the incoming tide.
Waver suggests unsteady, uncertain movement: He stood with wavering hands, unable for a moment to begin.