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 The Broad palpitated with energy. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 The finale had the impossible task of putting the monstrous show to an unquiet grave, and while some storylines seemed rushed and others completely ignored, even everyone’s least favorite season of GOT is heart palpitating. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpitate
Verb
  • Ones where the monster, their creator, or both are possessed by throbbing, animalistic lust.
    Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Their throbbing dance videos are shot in mansions and on yachts.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The discussion came as Robinhood posted third quarter results that beat analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • That figure, which is provided by payrolls processing company ADP, beat the Dow Jones consensus estimate for an increase of 22,000.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The whole place was vibrating from the power of the storm.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • At a home in eastern Jamaica, which avoided the worst of the Melissa’s impacts, Edma felt the building's concrete walls vibrate as the storm barreled across the island.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The city pulses with creativity, from its interactive street art to its world-class museums.
    Essence, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Blend into pesto or pulse them with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free Parmesan, or use them as a crust for tofu or veggies.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpitate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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