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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Examples 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
  • It’s heard in markets or throbbing from taxi radios and speakers in rickety roadside bars.
    Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025
  • From the ankle that throbs as if it had been twisted, to the head that feels as if it had been placed in a bench vise, the body is a ladder whose rungs are aches and pains.
    Richard Brookhiser, National Review, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The Rams were four days removed from defeating the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Vikings were four days removed from a 31-29 loss to the Lions, who have left opponents beat up throughout the season.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Utah’s thriving in Big 12 The Utes have made a triumphant entrance into the Big 12, winning two games against fellow Pac-12 migrants Arizona State and Arizona and then going into Ames, Iowa, and beating Iowa State in a back-and-forth affair.
    Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • It’s composed of rows of TV monitors arranged into a grid (à la Minimalism) and displaying undulating black-and-white patterns that appear to vibrate (à la Op).
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
  • In another breakthrough, researchers built an ultra-sensitive microphone informed by spider silk, which vibrates with the subtle perturbations of sound waves moving through the air.
    Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Streets pulse with music, laughter, and a packed calendar of events, creating an electric atmosphere that draws both locals and visitors into one joyous and chaotic rhythm.
    Joyce Onuorah, Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Strobe lights pulsed through the darkness, and early birds settled into plastic chairs with frosty beers.
    María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near palpitate

Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpitate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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