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
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Beren Cross analyses a pulsating cup tie.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
In Milan, the pulsating cauldron inspired by the sun will burn at Arco della Pace.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
And because Bad Bunny is the halftime show headliner this year, the restaurant will have the six-time, history-making Grammy winner‘s music as its pulsating soundtrack throughout the main dining room and their new speakeasy.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 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
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
And then, the music starts — blaring, pulsating, crashing into the silence.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Beren Cross analyses a pulsating cup tie.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
In Milan, the pulsating cauldron inspired by the sun will burn at Arco della Pace.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
And because Bad Bunny is the halftime show headliner this year, the restaurant will have the six-time, history-making Grammy winner‘s music as its pulsating soundtrack throughout the main dining room and their new speakeasy.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulsating
Adjective
-
If not remedied, this will progress to a tingling and later a throbbing sensation.—
Karl Hille,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
All that to say, design is the hotel’s heart, pulsing a refined yet approachable vibe throughout its very posh body.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Musical cues swing wildly from choral eeriness to dead silence to pulsing synths without any discernible logic, frequently robbing scenes of rhythm and dread.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Relevant, heart-palpitating, thoughtful, emotional, tense, thrilling, devastating and joyful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Some physicists argue that this failure point in our understanding tells us that the universe is fundamentally composed not of particles, but of vibrating strings and membranes.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Alajuelense returned the favor, beating LAFC 2-1 at BMO Stadium a week later, but that wasn’t enough to prevent the Black & Gold from continuing on the road to finishing runners-up to León.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) celebrates after beating Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) for the game-winning goal during overtime in an NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Dallas.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulsating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulsating. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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