as in throbbing
Related Words
Relevance
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
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 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
Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
On March 6, for example, a participant named Malcolm posted a report describing red, green and amber arcs and pulsating patches from his base in Scotland.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Eventually, as darkness descended, hundreds of shimmering dots coalesced to form a pulsating galaxy of light.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
With pulsating strobe lights and a head-banging remix to Britney Spears’s Toxic blaring overhead, models stomped out in clothes that could go straight from the runway and into the nearest nightclub.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
The finale came at the end of a pulsating match that featured two goals apiece from West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 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
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
Working together, Lipsztein and Coimbra decided to create a thriller with a pulsating human core, and getting the tone right from the pilot was key.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
On March 6, for example, a participant named Malcolm posted a report describing red, green and amber arcs and pulsating patches from his base in Scotland.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Eventually, as darkness descended, hundreds of shimmering dots coalesced to form a pulsating galaxy of light.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
With pulsating strobe lights and a head-banging remix to Britney Spears’s Toxic blaring overhead, models stomped out in clothes that could go straight from the runway and into the nearest nightclub.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
The finale came at the end of a pulsating match that featured two goals apiece from West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 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
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
-
Can that pulsing stream of water damage teeth or enamel?—
Anne Ewbank,
Popular Science,
1 Apr. 2026
-
All through this book, what’s pulsing is your love of this thing.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Relevant, heart-palpitating, thoughtful, emotional, tense, thrilling, devastating and joyful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But that he – along with fellow Pittsburgher Wiz Khalifa and country star Kane Brown – has been tapped to perform during the 2026 NFL Draft in his hometown has the gregarious rocker vibrating with glee.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Stop doing the vibrating Vegas lights, bro.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Willacy, who received the death penalty for beating his neighbor with a hammer and setting her on fire in 1990 in Palm Bay, Florida, is scheduled to be executed on April 21.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, UConn earned a ticket to the final game after beating Illinois, 71-62, in hopes of earning its seventh championship title.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulsating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulsating. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
