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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The game itself could barely have felt less consequential in its vibe if it had been played in the first week of June in front of 60,000 neutrals in Manchester United shirts in an overseas stadium.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Welina Terrace, which is only open for dinner, feels a bit fancier; low-lit with live music and epic views of the bay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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With data centers the size of dozens of football fields combined sprouting up around the country, residents have protested the construction of AI infrastructure, which McKinsey projected to touch $7 trillion in capital expenditures by 2030.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Ghia’s take on the XK140 was likely even faster, since its lightweight aluminum body—replacing the standard model’s steel shell—shaved as much as 220 pounds.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Indiana Pacers executive vice president and assistant GM Ted Wu, sitting to Winger’s left, patted Winger on the back.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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And the guy very kindly patted us on the back and said, ‘That’s not how this works.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Palpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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