as in to feel
medical
to examine (part of the body) by touching it
The doctor palpated his ribs to see if there was any tenderness.
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Recent Examples of palpate
Labor in healthcare includes taking down medical histories, making diagnoses, lifting patients, removing lumps, palpating livers, writing notes, processing claims and comforting patients.
—
Kevin Vigilante, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Expect a thorough exam, during which the provider will palpate (touch) the bicep, check for swelling or tenderness, and assess your range of motion and strength.
—Sarah Jividen, Health, 11 Oct. 2024
At your prenatal visits, your doctor or midwife will check your baby's position by palpating or feeling your belly to find the baby’s head, back, and bottom.
—Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 25 July 2024
The lead veterinarian, Cristina Buitrago, knelt and palpated the hippo’s abdomen to feel for his testicles, located in the inguinal canal.
—Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024
Providers may need to use special techniques during manual cancer exams in people with obesity, like when palpating larger breasts or performing a rectal exam.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2024
Kuang’s narrative palpates the nuances of cultural performance and writerly ethics, finally concluding that all authors steal for material anyway.
—Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Kevin Vigilante, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Expect a thorough exam, during which the provider will palpate (touch) the bicep, check for swelling or tenderness, and assess your range of motion and strength.
—Sarah Jividen, Health, 11 Oct. 2024
At your prenatal visits, your doctor or midwife will check your baby's position by palpating or feeling your belly to find the baby’s head, back, and bottom.
—Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 25 July 2024
The lead veterinarian, Cristina Buitrago, knelt and palpated the hippo’s abdomen to feel for his testicles, located in the inguinal canal.
—Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024
Providers may need to use special techniques during manual cancer exams in people with obesity, like when palpating larger breasts or performing a rectal exam.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2024
Kuang’s narrative palpates the nuances of cultural performance and writerly ethics, finally concluding that all authors steal for material anyway.
—Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpate
Verb
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Your careful eye helps each person feel seen and respected.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Plowden made his presence felt early, exploding to the basket for a dunk before hitting a 3-pointer later in the first quarter.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At times, Lugo touched 95 mph while navigating the Colombia lineup.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
-
This property actually touches the James Peak Wilderness, and that’s 17,000 acres.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, Combs can shave a month off that four-year-plus sentence, as the Federal Bureau of Prisons has updated his release date to April 25, 2028, which is about five weeks forward from the original date of June 4 of the same year.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Or, shave them raw for a crunchy slaw.—
Trista Chan,
Health,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The Teoritta Doll leverages cutting-edge animatronics technology to deliver lifelike expressions and interactive responses when guests gently pat her head.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpate. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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