Definition of palpitatenext
as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the man's heart began to palpitate, and he feared another attack was coming on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of palpitate The Broad palpitated with energy. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 The finale had the impossible task of putting the monstrous show to an unquiet grave, and while some storylines seemed rushed and others completely ignored, even everyone’s least favorite season of GOT is heart palpitating. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025 Representing heart-palpitating romance is the main storyline: the passion of Megha’s son Naveen (Carol Mazhuvancheril) for his boyfriend, Keshav (Noah Israel), a fellow Hindu who happens to be Caucasian. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023 The matte, phosphorescent sigils painted onto his robe appeared to palpitate in the low light. Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 In one of the raciest vignettes, a man buys and eats fresh dumplings on a train, intermittently palpitating his sore gums with his fingers. Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 8 May 2020 Angelica Hernández's heart hasn't stopped palpitating for a week. Author: Arelis R. Hernández, Cristina Corujo, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Jan. 2020 The past three seasons, their games were marked by palpitating comebacks. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpitate
Verb
  • The collection consists of the sneaker brand’s UNO sneakers (which, PSA, are a fab Nike Air Max alternative), Arch Fit, and Slip-Ins—all of which include some of the most impressive cushioning and support, so your feet won’t throb after standing for hours in a field.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The smoke kept rising and the clouds continued to throb with sickly yellow-and-black whorls until just after sunset, when the boiling mass of vapor suddenly turned pink and scarlet, like a poisonous flower opening its petals.
    New York Times, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The third ended with the Hornets’ Coby White beating the buzzer for an 89-83 Charlotte lead entering the fourth.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Xander Bogaerts had three hits and three RBIs, and Mason Miller pitched a perfect ninth inning for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight win and ninth in 10 games.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This element is special as its nucleus vibrates at a very low energy level.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Quiet weeping, dropped jaws, fervent applause and the occasional attendee literally vibrating with excitement.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Doctors unaffiliated didn't think so, though some research has supported benefits of molecular hydrogen therapy and pulsed electromagnetic fields in certain circumstances.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The sun is hot, the beats are loud and Fort Lauderdale Beach is once again pulsing with the energy of the annual Tortuga Music Festival, a three-day event that brings up to 100,000 music lovers to the sand and surf for one of the city's biggest weekends of the year.
    Ted Scouten, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpitate. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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