throb

1 of 2

verb

throbbed; throbbing

intransitive verb

1
: to pulsate or pound with abnormal force or rapidity
2
: to beat or vibrate rhythmically
throbber noun

throb

2 of 2

noun

: beat, pulse

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
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Verb
Financial markets throbbed with a panoply of new financial institutions — hedge funds — trading new financial instruments — derivative securities — the values of which were tied to still other financial instruments like home mortgages. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025 Batteries of loudspeakers throbbed with a song whose refrain has become a catchphrase for those who want Mr. Yoon ousted. Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
The ’70s-evoking folk fare that dots the front half of the record greatly contrasts with the dance floor throb of the latter, and few of the hooks hit as hard as some of her previous work. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 30 May 2025 Not that anybody would have noticed amid the bedlam and the throb of Newcastle’s grand, old stadium. George Caulkin, New York Times, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for throb

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English throbben

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of throb was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throb. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

throb

verb
ˈthräb
throbbed; throbbing
1
: to beat hard or fast (as from fright or pain)
her injured ankle was throbbing
2
: to beat or vibrate with a steady rhythm
throb noun

Medical Definition

throb

1 of 2 intransitive verb
throbbed; throbbing
: to pulsate or pound especially with abnormal force or rapidity
a finger throbbing from an infected cut

throb

2 of 2 noun
: a single pulse of a pulsating movement or sensation
a sudden throb of pain

More from Merriam-Webster on throb

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