pulse 1 of 2

Definition of pulsenext
as in throb
a rhythmic expanding and contracting his resting pulse rate is much lower than that of most men his age

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pulse

2 of 2

verb

as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner blood vessels pulsing in time with the heartbeat

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 pulse
Noun
Accidental melodies fade in and out of earshot; pulsing chords rise up from below and are swallowed back into the murk, only to be replaced by other pulses running at different tempi, giving the impression of wheels within wheels within wheels. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026 This time of year sees sunny weather, lighter crowds, but still an unmistakably energetic pulse that’ll wake anyone from their winter slumber. Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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 Though she initially was considered missing, the urgency to quickly find Guthrie pulsed through the first days of media coverage because of her heart condition. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulse
Noun
  • Maybe this nonstop back-and-forth, this spiritual reverb, this throb-throb oscillation between the actual and the symbolic, the objective and the imagined, is the heartbeat of Moby-Dick.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Puerto Morelos Located between the dizzying throbs of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos has managed to cling to its fishing village charm.
    Gemma Price, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • On the other side of the bracket, top-seed Maple Grove beat Irondale 83-38.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The Lakers opened the homestand with wins over Philadelphia and Golden State, lost back-to-back games to Oklahoma City and San Antonio, beat Dallas and the Clippers and then finished it off with losses to Boston and Orlando.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Alleged criminal activity, including violence, drug issues, a deadly beating, and prostitution at Annie's, for decades boiled over to Cincinnati City Council in 2018.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2026
  • For days, Williams had maintained hope that Maliek would survive the brutal beating in a Queens shelter that left him with a blown right pupil, fractured pelvis, lacerations to his liver and brain damage.
    Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Gentle formulas usually work best with a vibrating skin brush — or any skin cleansing tool, for that matter.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Air vibrates the tissues in the voice box while an area just above contracts, leaving a small opening for the whistle to escape.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Slow pulsations near the end of the AGB phase lead to ejecta, but these ejecta are rarely visible directly.
    Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Magnetic pens work by creating pulsation in your body tissues to relieve pain and discomfort.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulse. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

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