pulses 1 of 2

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

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pulses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pulse
as in beats
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 pulses
Noun
However, the experiment demonstrated the production and verification of intense X-ray pulses, not direct control of electrons during a reaction. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 The logic is that only machines can handle the hyper-volumetric, multi-vector attacks that often test defenses through pulses and waves. — Carlos Morales, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Kelvin waves are slow-moving pulses of water that travel beneath the ocean's surface, creating broad peaks and valleys. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Rigid neckbands deliver heat, vibration or electrical stimulation through EMS or TENS-style pulses. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
The top also features a power button, a Wi-Fi indicator, and an LED indicator that pulses green during charging, shines solid green when the battery is fully charged, or blue when the battery is running low. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 Wearables use temperature sensors, accelerometers, light sensors and photoplethysmography (PPG), which pulses light through the skin to measure blood flow, heart rate and approximate blood oxygen. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 Each second, the light pulses a few hundred billion times through a fiberglass straw the width of a human hair. — ABC News, 16 June 2026 While the complications of the relationship between Merril and Raquel are not always terribly clear in the script, both Marquis and Adame find strong chemistry as the story pulses forward. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 29 May 2026 Though rooted in the past, the film pulses with an urgency that feels entirely present. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 May 2026 Inside the shop, Miwa Tanaka, who’s worked the floor for years, says the flow of foot traffic still pulses with seasonality. — Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026 San Antonio often gets labeled as a retirement town, but don’t let that fool you—the city pulses with youth and energy. — Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026 The village pulses with a ton of energy, and the restaurant and après scene are also top-notch. — Brent Rose, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulses
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
  • While the former aids in the reduction of puffiness and dark circles in the under-eye area based on hot and cold contrast therapy, the latter comes with three attachments for relieving muscle pain, tension, and soreness through rapid pulsations.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The first is pique, a sharp, vinegary hot sauce that throbs with the heat of Thai chiles.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • The depression is a gritty-slick coating that constantly throbs against my thoughts and my insides.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • Xuan is also charged with delivering one of the beatings himself.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The indictment also describes a political opponent identified as Victim-3 who was subjected to beatings, sleep deprivation, threats and prolonged exposure to bright lights and loud sounds.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Brunson beats defenders with skill and not size, relying on footwork, fakes and spins that create angles to get his shot off against taller defenders.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Mount Union beats Marietta 57-0 for its 100th consecutive regular-season victory.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Partita takes a poem that vibrates with political energy and domesticates it, sapping this very famous verse of its revolutionary bite.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In Lepecki’s account, the gesture again demonstrated that stillness in dance always vibrates with subtle motion.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pulses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulses. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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