as in throbbing
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Dissimilar Words
as in pulsing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the heart muscle pulsates regularly to pump blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pulsating
Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
The relentlessly pulsating tempo of the record is tailor-made for the most full-throttle parts of 5SOS’ live show.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Eventually, as darkness descended, hundreds of shimmering dots coalesced to form a pulsating galaxy of light.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
With pulsating strobe lights and a head-banging remix to Britney Spears’s Toxic blaring overhead, models stomped out in clothes that could go straight from the runway and into the nearest nightclub.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
The finale came at the end of a pulsating match that featured two goals apiece from West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
In Milan, the pulsating cauldron inspired by the sun will burn at Arco della Pace.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
And because Bad Bunny is the halftime show headliner this year, the restaurant will have the six-time, history-making Grammy winner‘s music as its pulsating soundtrack throughout the main dining room and their new speakeasy.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
To experience the city’s culture at its most pulsating, visit during the annual Carnaval de Limón in October.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
The relentlessly pulsating tempo of the record is tailor-made for the most full-throttle parts of 5SOS’ live show.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
On March 6, for example, a participant named Malcolm posted a report describing red, green and amber arcs and pulsating patches from his base in Scotland.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Eventually, as darkness descended, hundreds of shimmering dots coalesced to form a pulsating galaxy of light.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
With pulsating strobe lights and a head-banging remix to Britney Spears’s Toxic blaring overhead, models stomped out in clothes that could go straight from the runway and into the nearest nightclub.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
The finale came at the end of a pulsating match that featured two goals apiece from West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
In Milan, the pulsating cauldron inspired by the sun will burn at Arco della Pace.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
And because Bad Bunny is the halftime show headliner this year, the restaurant will have the six-time, history-making Grammy winner‘s music as its pulsating soundtrack throughout the main dining room and their new speakeasy.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulsating
Adjective
-
If not remedied, this will progress to a tingling and later a throbbing sensation.—
Karl Hille,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Over throbbing synths, the actors shouted declarations into each other’s ears—and additionally communicated with eyes and hands—while a cameraman circled them with a Steadicam.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
All through this book, what’s pulsing is your love of this thing.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
These moving leaves are chased by male villagers to the soundtrack of maracas and a pulsing drum.—
Georgina Lawton,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Relevant, heart-palpitating, thoughtful, emotional, tense, thrilling, devastating and joyful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Other researchers soon realized that his formula, now known as the Veneziano amplitude, implied that hadrons aren’t particles, but vibrating strings.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The clubhouses were outfitted with merch stands, bars, restrooms, DJs, livestreams of panels, Royal Blue vending machines and vibrating hammocks.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After beating Atlanta last Friday without Jaylen Brown and Charlotte on Sunday without Brown and Derrick White, Boston flopped in a rematch with the Hawks, losing 112-102 without a crew of contributors headlined by a resting Jayson Tatum.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Lawson’s Blue Devils relished their March Madness at the downtown arena on Friday night, a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the corner by Ashlon Jackson to stun storied LSU in a Sweet 16 contest.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulsating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulsating. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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