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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Man, that jolt felt like Emmanuel Sanders streaking down the sidelines at Cleveland.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Probably my favorite of the season so far – feels like a new direction in a lot of ways.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pack them in, but make sure they are spaced at least 1 inch apart and don't touch the sides of the containers.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
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Indeed, on many occasions, Alarr forcefully touched Plaintiff without her consent during dry blocking of scenes.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To get into character for the role, the actor shaved his head, replacing his locks with a combover, and adjusted his posture to appear nearly a foot shorter.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Even as an advocate for working hard—especially in the office—JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon admitted that technology will likely shave off the need to work five days a week.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Quaid was seen patting his former costars’ shoulders and giving them words of encouragement before the performance.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
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On one occasion, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, seated to Pulisic’s right, put his left arm around Pulisic and patted his back, consoling him.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Palpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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