as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the man's heart began to palpitate, and he feared another attack was coming on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 palpitate Representing heart-palpitating romance is the main storyline: the passion of Megha’s son Naveen (Carol Mazhuvancheril) for his boyfriend, Keshav (Noah Israel), a fellow Hindu who happens to be Caucasian. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023 The matte, phosphorescent sigils painted onto his robe appeared to palpitate in the low light. Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 In one of the raciest vignettes, a man buys and eats fresh dumplings on a train, intermittently palpitating his sore gums with his fingers. Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 8 May 2020 My heart palpitates at the seriousness of his tone. Kelly Meldrum, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2019 Angelica Hernández’s heart hasn’t stopped palpitating for a week. Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2020 Angelica Hernández's heart hasn't stopped palpitating for a week. Author: Arelis R. Hernández, Cristina Corujo, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Jan. 2020 The past three seasons, their games were marked by palpitating comebacks. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2019 Anyway, back to the point: Rachel Bilson bumped into Adam Brody at JFK Airport, and the hearts of millennials across the globe promptly stopped, palpitated, or completely exploded. Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, 14 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpitate
Verb
  • Migraines commonly cause dizziness, nausea, throbbing pain on one side of the head and increased sensitivity to light.
    Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Wrist and arm pain: Carpal tunnel syndrome causes throbbing or burning pain in the wrists, certain fingers, and hands.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Dallas Hobbs beat the buzzer with a three to put Mount St. Mary’s ahead 48-38 at halftime.
    Jeff Wallner, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The 67-year-old Sigmon, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by firing squad, was convicted in 2002 of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents, David and Gladys Larke by beating with a baseball bat at the couple's home in Greenville County, South Carolina.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Praise God … my entire body is vibrating with joy right now.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The room looked like an airport lounge — gleaming white tables with copies of Foreign Policy, an inaudible conference livestream — and vibrated with the energy of journalists from around the world begging to get inside.
    Caitlin L. Chandler, The Dial, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Blend into pesto or pulse them with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free Parmesan, or use them as a crust for tofu or veggies. — SUZANNE FISHER, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD Potential Downsides Nuts like cashews are a healthy addition to most diets.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Apply to pulse points The first, and most obvious, is applying to your pulse points.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpitate. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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