throbs; throbbed; throbbing
1
: to feel a pain that starts and stops quickly and repeatedly
Her finger throbbed with pain.
My head is throbbing.
2
: to beat with a strong, steady rhythm
He could hear his heart throbbing. [=pounding]
The music throbs with a Caribbean beat.
drums throbbing in the distance
—sometimes used figurativelya soul throbbing with loneliness [=a very lonely soul]
a tiny stream throbbing with life [=full of life]
1
: a strong, steady beat
the throb of the drums
2
: pain that starts and stops quickly and repeatedly
The pain has changed to a dull throb.
Cite this Entry
“Throb.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/throb. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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