as in throbbing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
her heart pit-a-patted with surprise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pit-a-patting
Verb
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The light bled red at Sixty-Seventh and Pacific, music throbbing through the speakers as Olivia Borsutzki relaxed her foot from the brake.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026 -
And yet, as dynasties could emerge across a number of divisions in boys hockey this postseason, none should diminish what will be yet another heart-throbbing three weeks.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As shoppers gear up for their European summer sojourns, brands are beating the tourist rush and setting up shop across the continent with temporary seasonal stores, beach club pop-ups and limited-time activations to capture the attention and dollars of the high-spending set.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
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Fujimori, daughter of a disgraced former president, and Sánchez, an ally of an imprisoned ex-president, were on the runoff’s ballot after beating 33 other candidates in the vote in April, but neither earned even 20% of support.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
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By the time Wachowski returned to the stage alongside Tilly, Gershon, Pantoliano, and Meloni, the room was practically vibrating with the adrenaline only a cult classic can inspire when its rabid fans finally find one another in the wild.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
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Various speculations about the cheating accusations began to spread, including one that involved Niemann using vibrating anal beads to signal the best moves.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Verb
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When a mysterious Signal begins pulsing out near Pluto, the world goes still, leaving the skies open for what is believed to be first contact with extraterrestrials.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Hidden inside the orb, an antenna rotates while pulsing electromagnetic waves into the distance, waiting for a faint bounce to arrive back in the dish.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pit-a-patting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pit-a-patting. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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