as in pulsating
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Dissimilar Words
as in pulsing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the car's stereo speakers throbbing with the song's bass line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of throbbing
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
Whether sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, a headache can ruin your day.
—Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
Sirāt, an oddly hopeful look at death and the end of the world, set to a throbbing techno beat, was nominated for best casting, cinematography and editing, as well as best production and best sound design.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
And certainly, many migraine sufferers—though not all—experience a throbbing headache.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Rusty wanted to do something stupid, but the calming presence of Billy negated all of Rusty’s throbbing impulses.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
There was a burning sensation in my lungs, every breath a throbbing struggle.
—Celeste Moure, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024
Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
And yet, as dynasties could emerge across a number of divisions in boys hockey this postseason, none should diminish what will be yet another heart-throbbing three weeks.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Winning by rallying the naïve and clueless is one thing, but administering a throbbing behemoth is a greater challenge.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
With osteomalacia and rickets, a person may experience throbbing bone discomfort and muscle weakness and pain.
—Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026
That’s why my leg is throbbing.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The book club regularly meets to discuss romance novels in all their sticky, sweaty, throbbing passions.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The air was throbbing with the sounds of helicopters coming close and pulling away.
—Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
Banff Sunshine boasts that its 12 lifts are the most modern and efficient in Canada, offering access to more than 3,300 skiable acres and its infamous Delirium Dive for heart-throbbing off-piste, off-trail thrills.
—Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
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
Whether sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, a headache can ruin your day.
—Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
Sirāt, an oddly hopeful look at death and the end of the world, set to a throbbing techno beat, was nominated for best casting, cinematography and editing, as well as best production and best sound design.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
And certainly, many migraine sufferers—though not all—experience a throbbing headache.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Rusty wanted to do something stupid, but the calming presence of Billy negated all of Rusty’s throbbing impulses.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
There was a burning sensation in my lungs, every breath a throbbing struggle.
—Celeste Moure, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
The light bled red at Sixty-Seventh and Pacific, music throbbing through the speakers as Olivia Borsutzki relaxed her foot from the brake.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
And yet, as dynasties could emerge across a number of divisions in boys hockey this postseason, none should diminish what will be yet another heart-throbbing three weeks.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Winning by rallying the naïve and clueless is one thing, but administering a throbbing behemoth is a greater challenge.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
With osteomalacia and rickets, a person may experience throbbing bone discomfort and muscle weakness and pain.
—Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026
That’s why my leg is throbbing.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The book club regularly meets to discuss romance novels in all their sticky, sweaty, throbbing passions.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The air was throbbing with the sounds of helicopters coming close and pulling away.
—Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
Banff Sunshine boasts that its 12 lifts are the most modern and efficient in Canada, offering access to more than 3,300 skiable acres and its infamous Delirium Dive for heart-throbbing off-piste, off-trail thrills.
—Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throbbing
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
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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
-
The right work can make a subject that’s never crossed my mind, or that strikes me as aggressively boring, into something incantatory, pulsing with meaning.—
Deb Olin Unferth,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Relevant, heart-palpitating, thoughtful, emotional, tense, thrilling, devastating and joyful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Which vibrating skin brushes are best?—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Navigate the locker room with your vibrating children.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gonzales was struggling to hold his 23rd District even before the scandal, barely beating 2nd Amendment activist and content creator Brandon Herrera in 2024; Herrera is running again, along with Quico Canseco, a one-term congressman who’s made multiple comeback attempts.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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The Lakers’ 41-year-old star buried three 3-pointers in the second half, the first one beating the third-quarter buzzer for a 96-76 lead.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throbbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throbbing. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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