as in throbbed
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
his heart pitter-pattered with excitement as he waited for the right moment to propose
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitter-pattered
Verb
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Her hand and arm cramped, her shoulder ached, and her knee throbbed, all while the rain soaked through their clothes.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026 -
The upper blocks throbbed and pulsed a deep blue, reflecting the pond’s windblown currents.—
Jack Korngold,
Rolling Stone,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Necas added his seventh power-play goal of the season 2 1/2 minutes later, beating his Czech Olympic teammate with a high shot.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In the last ten years, Berkshire shares have gained 250%, also beating the S & P 500.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Room service extras include infrared, pulsed electromagnetic mats to stimulate cellular metabolism and reduce inflammation; JetBoots to enhance circulation; SmartGoggles with heat, vibration and massage to soothe eyes and enhance sleep; and facial LED masks to improve skin tone and texture.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
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On game days at East Catholic, fight songs pulsed between classes, filling the hallways with energy and anticipation.—
Mario DiLoreto,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The roar of the crowds gathered at the base of the 101-story building still echoed in his ears, and the thrill of scaling its ten abstract metal dragons vibrated through his body.—
Outside,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
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Even the bathrooms down the hall vibrated with rhythm.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pitter-pattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitter-pattered. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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