throb

1 of 2

verb

throbbed; throbbing
Synonyms of throbnext

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
With osteomalacia and rickets, a person may experience throbbing bone discomfort and muscle weakness and pain. Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026 Her hand and arm cramped, her shoulder ached, and her knee throbbed, all while the rain soaked through their clothes. Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Maybe this nonstop back-and-forth, this spiritual reverb, this throb-throb oscillation between the actual and the symbolic, the objective and the imagined, is the heartbeat of Moby-Dick. James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026 Puerto Morelos Located between the dizzying throbs of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos has managed to cling to its fishing village charm. Gemma Price, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026 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 12 Feb. 2026.

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

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