throb

1 of 2

verb

ˈthräb 

throbbed; throbbing

intransitive verb

1

: to pulsate or pound with abnormal force or rapidity

2

: to beat or vibrate rhythmically

throbber noun

throb

2 of 2

noun

: beat, pulse

Synonyms

Verb

• beat
• palpitate
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter
• pulsate
• pulse

Noun

• beat
• beating
• palpitation
• pulsation
• pulse

Examples of throb in a Sentence

Verb

Her finger throbbed with pain.

The music throbs with a Caribbean beat.

drums throbbing in the distance

Noun

the throb of the drums

The pain has changed to a dull throb.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The new paintings are often beautiful in more familiar ways than his previous ones, and at the same time throbbing with internal energy. —Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Production on the new album is led by the duo of Sounwave and Jack Antonoff, who give Lamar pulsing, throbbing beats to smash up against. —Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Noun

The music throbs and flourishes; so does the stage, loaded up with gondolas and chandeliers, fog and fashion and fur and roller-skates. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024

The timing—the beat, the lag, the throb of the void—between stimulus and reaction. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English throbben

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

throb

verb

ˈthräb

throbbed; throbbing

1

: to beat hard or fast (as from fright or pain)

her injured ankle was throbbing

2

: to beat or vibrate with a steady rhythm

throb noun

Medical Definition

throb

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈthräb 

throbbed; throbbing

: to pulsate or pound especially with abnormal force or rapidity

a finger throbbing from an infected cut

throb

2 of 2 noun

: a single pulse of a pulsating movement or sensation

a sudden throb of pain