ゆらゆら・揺ら揺らyurayura

1. adverb (with と), suru verbswaying; swinging; rocking; shaking; wavering; flickering

• Synonym揺れるゆれるNeutralThe all-purpose verb for swaying or shaking; 「ゆらゆら」 is a mimetic word that specifically depicts the look of slow, broad swaying.
• Synonym揺らぐゆらぐNeutralA verb for shaking, mostly figurative — confidence or status wavering; 「ゆらゆら」 focuses on depicting the manner of the swaying itself.
• Synonym揺らめくゆらめくWrittenA written-style verb for flames, shadows and the like flickering and swaying; 「ゆらゆら」 is mimetic and can modify a verb as an adverb.
• SynonymたゆたうWrittenWritten language for drifting lazily on the water, and by extension for hesitating; 「ゆらゆら」 is more colloquial and serves as an adverb.
• Related動揺どうようNeutralCovers shaking but usually mental agitation or social unrest, as in 「動揺を隠す」; 「ゆらゆら」 depicts slow swaying.
• Related揺さぶるゆさぶるNeutralA transitive verb for shaking something hard, also figuratively shaking people's hearts; 「ゆらゆら」 is a slow swaying motion.
• Related揺るぐゆるぐWrittenA written-style verb meaning to waver, typically in the negative 「揺るがない」; 「ゆらゆら」 describes the look of swaying.
• RelatedゆするNeutralA transitive verb for shaking something, and it can also mean to blackmail or extort; 「ゆらゆら」 is a mimetic word for swaying.
• Related揺らすゆらすNeutralA transitive verb meaning to make something sway, as in 「ブランコを揺らす」; 「ゆらゆら」 depicts the manner of swaying.
• Related揺すぶるゆすぶるWrittenA written-style transitive verb for shaking a person or thing vigorously; 「ゆらゆら」 suggests slow, gentle swaying.
• Relatedぐら付くぐらつくCasualColloquial for wobbling unsteadily, also for a wavering mind; 「ゆらゆら」 is gentle, slow swaying.
• Antonym静かしずかNeutralOpposite to 「ゆらゆら」's back-and-forth swaying in the sense of little movement and steadiness, yet the two combine: 「静かにゆらゆら揺れる」.
• Antonym安定あんていNeutralMeans stable and unlikely to tip over or change, the opposite of an object swaying unsteadily; it does not require complete stillness.

Use 「ゆらゆら」 to depict slow, broad swaying; for the action itself use the verb 「揺れる」. Pick 「揺らめく」 for flickering flames or shadows, 「ぐらつく」 for unsteady wobbling, and 「揺らぐ」 for figurative wavering of confidence or status.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 物ものがゆったりと大おおきく揺ゆれるさま。