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

Other Words from throb Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about throb

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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

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 Perhaps the bass guitar throbs from your right side, the synth from the left, and the kick drum is an additive force on both sides. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "Razer HyperSense's vision for haptic-filled PC gaming shakes up the future of peripherals," 10 Jan. 2019 These are books in which 3- to 8-year-olds will see themselves represented not in the crude categories of race, class and gender but as young human beings with hearts that throb and minds that try to comprehend. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, "Children’s Books: Best of 2018," 7 Dec. 2018 The kind of tired where your face vibrates and your eyes throb. — Lyz Lenz, Glamour, "I'm a Great Cook. Now That I'm Divorced, I'm Never Making Dinner for a Man Again," 26 Nov. 2018 This health condition usually causes severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, often on just one side of the head, the Mayo Clinic says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Is It True That the Weather Can Cause a Migraine?," 3 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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 Paterfamilias Sirio Maccioni has presided over New York's elite since his days as the heart-throb maître d' at the Colony in the 1960s. — Richard E. Farley, Town & Country, "Now That The Four Seasons Is Closing, Where Will the Power Lunch Crowd Go Next?," 26 July 2015

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.