throb

verb

\ ˈthräb

throbbed; throbbing

Definition of throb

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to pulsate or pound with abnormal force or rapidity

2 : to beat or vibrate rhythmically

throb

noun

Definition of throb (Entry 2 of 2)

: beat, pulse

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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

Novacek, Rose, Iwasaki and DerHovsepian were joined by cellist Clancy Newman, whose first-movement tunes, with heavily throbbing vibrato, were overly assertive. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, "Enterprising programs open another season for Fort Worth's Mimir Chamber Music Festival," 6 July 2019 Saxbury took a powerful opioid, oxycodone, to manage throbbing lower back that radiates down his left leg. — Jayne O'donnell, USA TODAY, "Pain patients left in anguish by doctors 'terrified' of opioid addiction, despite CDC change," 24 June 2019 The pilot, which opens with a murder and hints at a dead mother (played by Longoria), was shot during spring break at the iconic Fontainebleau, with an electronic dance music festival throbbing in the background. — Kathryn Shattuck, New York Times, "‘Grand Hotel’ Is Part of Eva Longoria’s Mission to ‘Produce With Purpose’," 18 June 2019 Another is the relentlessly foreboding, throbbing score by Hildur Gudnadottir. — Taylor Sheridan, New York Times, "Review: ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado’ Blends War Movie and Western," 28 June 2018 And the small, tight knot that had occupied the right side of my ribs ever since giving birth had begun throbbing dully. — Kate Wehr, Good Housekeeping, "Gallstones Are the Pregnancy Complication No One Warned Me About," 18 Apr. 2019 Last night, Bookmarc, the charming West Village shop founded by Marc Jacobs, throbbed with commotion. — Ian Malone, Vogue, "A Vogue-heavy Crowd Came Out to Tonne Goodman’s Point of View Book Party at Bookmarc," 17 Apr. 2019 La Nacional La Nacional is a quiet and cozy alternative to nearby bars throbbing with techno music. — Scarlett Lindeman, Condé Nast Traveler, "20 Best Bars in Mexico City," 27 Feb. 2018 Their 2011 debut album, See the Light, went on to become an instant EDM classic, with Ruiz’s smooth velvety voice over throbbing beats mesmerizing global dance floors for more than a decade. — Jasmin Hernandez, Harper's BAZAAR, "Nomi Ruiz on Making Art That Means Something," 17 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The malice with which Queen Marguerite spits out her lines, the throb of anguish in Queen Marie’s voice and the Doctor’s affected sneer all start to feel stale after a while. — Margaret Gray, latimes.com, "Review: At City Garage in Santa Monica, a king who won't accept the ultimate exit," 19 June 2019 An aura of dread and violence is summoned by the off-center images, the syncopations of the editing and the relentless hum and throb of Jonny Greenwood’s score. — A. O. Scott, New York Times, "Review: Joaquin Phoenix Is a Melancholy Avenger in ‘You Were Never Really Here’," 4 Apr. 2018 Justin Bieber, then a wholesome teen heart-throb, meets Baldwin backstage at the Today show. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "A Comprehensive Timeline Of Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber’s Relationship," 9 July 2018 Set in 1929 and ’30, the show captures the jittery throb of Germany’s fragile, fractious but richly creative Weimar era as its brief existence got crushed in the Great Depression and indignant nationalism congealed into Nazism. — Daryl H. Miller, latimes.com, "The world is ending, so come to the 'Cabaret'," 15 June 2018 The trauma sticks to my ribs; sometimes a dull ache, sometimes a sudden pinch, and sometimes a painful throb. — Danielle Campoamor, Harper's BAZAAR, "I'm Not a Sexual Assault "Survivor"—I'm a Victim," 21 May 2018 Guitarist Brent Smith, bass player Garrett Ney and drummer Tom Lageveen are angular assassins — clinically precise as their sound throbs, rumbles and resembles an air-raid siren. — David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Record Store Day acts set off musical fireworks at Indianapolis shops," 22 Apr. 2018 Reynolds and Alma are unique, their own characters - with Day-Lewis especially creating a wholly different kind of role not seen since Dirk Bogarde matched heart-throb looks and transgressive roles in the 1960s. — John Petkovic, cleveland.com, "Academy Awards 2018: 'Phantom Thread' deserves to win Best Picture Oscar (commentary)," 2 Mar. 2018 His stories taught me that being a fisherman was a life of relentless work; sleepless, gut-churning nights; and endless days punctuated only by the throb of the boat’s engine. — Matthew Bremner, Slate Magazine, "Shifting Current," 24 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'throb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.