as in throbbing
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Dissimilar Words
as in pulsing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the heart muscle pulsates regularly to pump blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pulsating
Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
The relentlessly pulsating tempo of the record is tailor-made for the most full-throttle parts of 5SOS’ live show.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Michael Walker, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Revel in Chicago’s Evolving Dining Scene Chicago’s pulsating and evolving dining scene is one of the best things about visiting or living in the City of the Big Shoulders.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The singer delivered a pulsating rendition of the record paired with slick choreography and a crew of dancers in a warehouse for the set that marks her latest accolade, being named Global Push Artist for November.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
All to the happy pulsating sound of sprinklers.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
The track starts with a pulsating Simmons bass riff, setting the tone for one of Kiss' funkier guitar grooves.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Then looks came out to a pulsating beat.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
The pulsating Afrobeats-meets-electronic rhythm and Victony’s buoyant vocals will start anyone’s day with their heart racing.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
To experience the city’s culture at its most pulsating, visit during the annual Carnaval de Limón in October.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
The relentlessly pulsating tempo of the record is tailor-made for the most full-throttle parts of 5SOS’ live show.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The 2-2 result at the end of a pulsating, dramatic afternoon at historic, raucous Tynecastle means Hearts still lead the Scottish Premiership.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Revel in Chicago’s Evolving Dining Scene Chicago’s pulsating and evolving dining scene is one of the best things about visiting or living in the City of the Big Shoulders.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The singer delivered a pulsating rendition of the record paired with slick choreography and a crew of dancers in a warehouse for the set that marks her latest accolade, being named Global Push Artist for November.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
All to the happy pulsating sound of sprinklers.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
The track starts with a pulsating Simmons bass riff, setting the tone for one of Kiss' funkier guitar grooves.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Then looks came out to a pulsating beat.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
The pulsating Afrobeats-meets-electronic rhythm and Victony’s buoyant vocals will start anyone’s day with their heart racing.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulsating
Adjective
-
Over throbbing synths, the actors shouted declarations into each other’s ears—and additionally communicated with eyes and hands—while a cameraman circled them with a Steadicam.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Whether sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, a headache can ruin your day.—
Katherine Cobb-Pitstick,
The Conversation,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Marty’s attempt to break out of postwar poverty, for example, feels modern; it’s even set to a pulsing soundtrack full of ’80s–New Wave hits.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
25 Dec. 2025
-
The pulsing vocal could be heard from Manchester, to London, to party island Ibiza, often heard in a rendition similar to that of a football chant.—
Kelly Washington,
Refinery29,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Relevant, heart-palpitating, thoughtful, emotional, tense, thrilling, devastating and joyful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The effect is similar to a washing machine vibrating when wet clothes collect on one side of the drum.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
-
While the glasses read the scene, a wristband helps the wearer see whether someone looks happy, confused, or upset by vibrating in unique patterns.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Point Loma Nazarene’s women’s basketball team improved to 14-4 and climbed back on top of the PacWest Conference standings with a 10-2 mark after beating Azusa Pacific (80-55) and contender Vanguard (59-57) last week.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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In the final, Black & Alshon threw down the gauntlet, beating the top pair in three straight for gold.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulsating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulsating. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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